Eleanor Micheaux James Vance
Jun 18, 1928 - Mar 23, 2025
Eleanor Micheaux James Vance was born June 18, 1928 in Greenville, N.C. to Lucy Royce Brown James and James Burton James. She attended Salem Academy, where she made many lifelong friends. After attending Smith College for two years, Eleanor completed her studies at Duke University, and always counted her participation in the Duke Chapel Choir and other vocal ensembles among her most treasured memories.
Eleanor moved to Winston-Salem, N.C. where she met and married the absolute love of her life, Charles Fogle Vance, Jr. They enjoyed 48 years of marriage together. She was a devoted mother to Lucy Brown Vance of Southport, N.C., Charles Fogle Vance III of Newberg, Ore., James Burton Vance of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Margaret Vaughn Vance of Winston-Salem N.C. She was known as "Jamie" to her many friends, and also to six grandchildren, Salem Micheaux Vance, Wesley Bonner Vance, James Beauregard Vance, Edward Colin Snoke, Margaret Vaughn Snoke, and Sandra Gail Vance (Zach). Eleanor also treasured her close relationship with her recently deceased sister, Lucy Willingham, husband, Frank, their three sons Frank,Jr,. (Christine) BJ (Delby) and John ((Donna) and beloved grand nieces Cory, Lucy and Peachy.
Throughout her life Eleanor remained an active and faithful member of Home Moravian Church, where her Church family was a cherished part of her life. She particularly enjoyed her involvement with the Women's Fellowship and music programs, where she and "Charlie" (and also her sister Lucy Willingham) sang in the Choir for many years.
Eleanor's involvement in many community organizations included the Junior League, Little Theater, Twin City Garden Club, Colonial Dames, The Winston Salem Symphony and the Philocalian Book Club. She enjoyed volunteering at Baptist Hospital and for other numerous causes.
Early in their marriage Eleanor and Charlie developed a passion for the South Carolina coast. "The Beach" became a happy destination, where they created memories as they shared laughter and music with their beloved "beach crowd" of college friends. Also during these times their children and grandchildren developed their own love of "Summer Place" and times spent there with Jamie and Papa.
Details for a memorial service at Home Moravian Church will be announced at a later date.
Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Eleanor please consider the Women's Fellowship at Home Moravian Church, 529 S. Church St., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101 or the Sunnyside Ministry, 319 Haled Street, Winston Salem, NC 27127. Condolences may be shared online at
www.salemfh.com.
Salem Funeral & Cremation Service
120 S. Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Published by Winston-Salem Journal on Mar. 25, 2025.