Vance Oliver Lipe

Funeral services for Vance Oliver Lipe, 93, of Long Beach, MS, will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greenville, MS. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. with Father Jose de Jesus Sanchez officiating. Burial at Greenville Cemetery will follow the Funeral Mass.
Mr. Lipe passed away on November 1, 2025.
Vance was born on March 19, 1932, in Winslow, Arizona, to Bessie Douglas Lipe and Henry Harold Lipe. He and his family later moved to Phoenix, AZ. His mother passed away in 1939, and his father in 1946. Following his father's death, Vance and his brother, Harold David Lipe, moved to Greenville, MS, to live with their uncle and aunt, Vester and Nell Lipe.
Vance attended St. Rose of Lima School and was a member of the first graduating class of St. Joseph High School in 1950. He graduated as Salutatorian of his class. His future wife of 73 years, Teresa Serio Lipe, was in his eighth-grade class when they first met. The couple married in San Francisco, California, on November 20, 1951, while Vance was serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Curtiss (AV-4). He was part of a naval task force assigned to the Atomic Energy
Commission, participating in three naval operations involving the testing of two atomic bombs and one hydrogen bomb in the South Pacific.
After serving four years in the Navy, Vance returned to Greenville, where he worked for eleven years at the Delta Democrat Times as a printer-compositor, creating newspaper advertising and column layouts.
In August 1966, Vance joined the U.S. Postal Service in Greenville as a part-time letter carrier. He also wrote for The Postal Record, the magazine of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). His leadership and service led to his election as President of NALC Branch 516, later as President of the Mississippi NALC, and editor of its newsletter. In January 1975, he was promoted to Superintendent of Delivery and Collection for the Greenville Post Office. Vance
also taught in the Postal Management Associate Degree Program at Mississippi Delta Junior College and served as a regional instructor for the U.S. Postal Service across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. In August 1980, he was appointed Postmaster of Greenville, where he later served as Vice President and President of the Mississippi National Association of Postmasters.
Vance retired from the Postal Service in May 1992, after 31 years of dedicated service. During retirement, he enjoyed fishing, camping, and remained active in church and community life. He was deeply involved with St. Joseph Catholic Church and Schools, serving as President of both the Home and School Association and the Parish Council. He was also Director of the Combined Federal Campaign for The United Way of Greenville and an active member of the Greenville
Exchange Club, serving in several leadership roles, including President. Additionally, he was a member of the International Good Sams Club, serving as President of the local chapter and Assistant State Director for Northwest Mississippi.
Vance was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Harold David Lipe; his eldest son, Michael Lipe; and his daughter, Debra (Lipe) Daws.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 73 years, Teresa Serio Lipe; five children: Vance Lipe (Rhonda), Teresa Anne Willis (Ron), Sam Lipe (Susan), Danny Lipe (Mariangie), and Stephanie Wood (Richie); and daughter-in-law Debra Metts Lipe. He also leaves behind 19 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren who loved him dearly.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Joseph Catholic School. Mail to:
St. Joseph Catholic School
1501 V.F.W. Road
Greenville, MS 38701
Mortimer Funeral Home in Greenville, MS has been entrusted with the arrangements.