Jane (Barnett) Vann

Jane Barnett Vann
1929-2024

Jane Barnett Vann, age 94, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024 at Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville, Georgia. Throughout her life, Jane made the best of whatever came her way. Always with a positive and optimistic attitude, was loving and accepting with everyone she met. She is renowned for listening and noticing people, always having a kind word, and for touching the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, patience, and sweet spirit. 

Jane was born on July 8, 1929 in Birmingham, AL to Robert E. and Mary Lee (nee Morgan) Barnett. She split her childhood years with her parents in Birmingham, and with her beloved aunt, uncle (Annie and Whitfield Moore), and cousins in Tuscaloosa. She met her future husband, Robert Wood Vann, at Phillips High School, where she played the flute and he played the oboe in the marching band. Jane received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama (1950), where she was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority. While in college, she married Bob in Tuscaloosa on
November 20, 1948. They later settled in Birmingham and soon after had two children, Alan (1954) and Beth (1956). The family moved to the Chicago area in 1959. She was an avid reader and excellent seamstress. She was engaged in her community, played bridge, volunteered in her church, and supported her children’s school activities. 

After retirement in the early 1990s, Jane and Bob moved to Big Canoe, GA. They were avid square dancers and enjoyed many years of traveling around the country in their RV meeting friends at square-dancing events and visiting family and friends. Jane and Bob moved into Lanier Village Estates (LVE) in early 2000s where she remained until her death. Active in the LVE community, Jane assisted with events, played and taught Mahjongg, had many friends, and was well known for her quiet kindness and willingness to get involved and help out. 

She is pre-deceased by her husband Bob in 2011. Bob had Alzheimer’s disease and Jane was his caregiver for many years. She is also predeceased by her son Alan (2012) and her sister, Anne Johnson (2016). 

She is survived by her daughter Beth Vann (Roberta Leftwich-Vann), granddaughters Laurelin Story (Caleb Story), Heather Vann (Brady Deetz), Alexandra Vann, great-grandson Rowan Story, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Jane was a kind, loving, and attentive grandmother who helped shepherd all of her grandchildren into adulthood. She touched many people in her life and was remarkable to all. 

There will be no service.  Her ashes will be buried in the Memorial Garden at the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville.

Family suggests honoring Jane with a contribution to any of her favorite charities:  Georgia Mountain Food Bank, P.O. Box 233, Gainesville, Georgia 30503, Planned Parenthood https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/onlineactions

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

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