Ginger Skeen Vance

Ginger Skeen Vance passed away peacefully at home and into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 2, 2025. A private family graveside service was held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Wells officiating.
Ginger was born in Tyler, Texas, on December 20, 1948. Ginger attended Birdwell Elementary, Hogg Junior High, and Robert E. Lee High School. In 1968, she was a Lady in Waiting in the Texas Rose Festival. In May 1969, she graduated from Tyler Junior College with an Associate in Arts degree. She then attended Baylor University and graduated in December 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Upon graduation, she moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where she was an active member of the Junior League and was listed in the Fort Worth Social Directory. On returning to Tyler, she began teaching at Bonner Elementary. She also continued her education by obtaining two Master's Degrees in Education from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1993 and 1996. In addition to her post graduate degrees, Ginger also acquired teaching certifications in Elementary Self Contained, Information Processing Technologies, Gifted and Talented, and Reading Specialist. Upon retiring from teaching, Ginger became more involved in Green Acres Baptist Church and helped care for her mother. In her free time, Ginger was an avid runner. It was not at all uncommon to see her running outside while listening to music from the movie, Rocky. When not lacing up her running shoes, you could find Ginger reading her Bible and studying the scriptures. For that reason, Sunday was always an important day for her, but unbeknownst to many, Sunday was important for another reason. Sunday was race-day, and Ginger never missed the chance to pull for her favorite driver, Jeff Gordon. Those who knew Ginger will always remember her sense of style, her personality, her determination, and more than anything, her loyalty to those she loved.
Ginger was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Virginia Skeen and nephew, Matthew Skeen. She is survived by son Richard Vance Jr. and wife Nykole; grandsons, Riggins Vance and Nathan Vance; brother, Jack Skeen Jr. and wife Barbara; and nephews, Jack Skeen III and wife Winn and Carter Skeen.
The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation to loving caregivers Mary Carter and Angie Martin, and The Hospice of East Texas Home Care team. The family requests memorials if desired to be made to the Alzheimer's Alliance of Smith County, 3531 South Broadway Ave., Tyler, Texas 75701, the Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701, or charity of your choice.