Margaret Vann
Margaret Vann, 88, of Decatur, died Oct. 15, 2008.
Mrs. Vann, who died Wednesday at her residence, was born Sept. 1, 1920, in Morgan County to the late John and Nellie Palmer. She was a member of Ninth Street United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bryon C. Vann; her daughter, Carol Vann Holland; three brothers; and four sisters.
She was active in many civic, professional, and honorary organizations including the Council for Exceptional Children; National Association for Retarded Children; Morgan-Lawrence-Limestone Association for Retarded Children; Alabama and National Association for Talented and Gifted; ACSAS; the American Association on Mental Deficiency; Morgan County Mental Health Association; DSDI, the Council of Administrators of Special Education; Alabama Association of School Administrators; Alabama Council for School Administration and Supervision; representative for the State of Alabama on National Advisory Council-Title III 1970; member of Alabama’s State Advisory Council for Title III; member of board of directors - North Central Alabama Mental Health; member of the S.E. Committee on Barriers of Effective Change in Education; member of board of directors for United Cerebral Palsy Association of North Central Alabama; past president of Alabama Federation for the council of Exceptional Children; member of Advisory Council of the Alabama Learning Resource Center; member of the S.E. Advisory Council for the SELRC; member of the State Validation Committee on Title III; member of the State Gifted Program Committee; Alabama Governor of Council for Exceptional Children; member of Directors of MLLARC; member of State Advisory Board for Title VI; member of Advisory Board of Appalachia Educational Laboratory; member of Delta Kappa Gamma; and the Alabama Association of University Women.
Mrs. Vann was presented with the CEC Coordinator Award in 1982; the following year the Margaret Vann Coordinator Award was named in her honor; in 1884, she was honored with her Sunday school class being named the “Margaret Vann Class”; Mrs. Vann’s name appeared in “Personalities of the South”, 1972 edition; her name appeared in “The Compendium” - the International Biographical Reference Index of Eminent People in the Field of Exceptional Education; she received the Turman Pierce Award for unusual and significant contributions to exceptional children and youth; an award was presented by the Morgan County Foster Parents in appreciation for continued dedication to special children; an award for outstanding service to Morgan-Limestone County Association for Retarded Children; an award for 15 years dedication to Special Olympics; and recognition for unselfish and devoted service to United Cerebral Palsy.
She is survived her son, Byron C. Vann Jr.; daughter-in-law, Corkey Vann; four grandchildren, Lyle Holland and wife Linda of Birmingham, John Holland and wife Christine of Hartselle, Byron C. “Chip” Vann III of Leeds, and Jennifer Clanton and husband Andrew of Madison; and six great-grandchildren, Hannah Holland, Jack Holland, Maggie Holland, Bennett Holland, Jacksyn Clanton, and Noah Clanton.
Pallbearers will be Hank Kimbrell, Bill Gilchrist, Pete Asmann, Dr. Sam Houston, Stan Davis, and Andrew Clanton.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to Friends of Delano Park, All Children’s Playground and Garden, or Hospice of the Valley.
Funeral services were held Oct. 17 at Ninth Street United Methodist Church, Rev. Kenny Baskins and Rev. Randy VanLandingham officiating. Burial was in Forest Hill Cemetery.
