Bertie Lou Vance

Bertie Lou Vance, 97 of Chauncey, was carried to her eternal home by angels on July 2 at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, WV to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She is the daughter of the late Estil and Florence DeHart of Pine Creek in the Omar area of Logan County, WV, and is the loving wife of the late Cornelius Vance of Chauncey, with whom she shared 52 years of marriage

She was preceeded in death by 4 sisters: Eva Rice of Kopperston, Maxine DeHart of Chauncey, Glenna Bond of Teays Valley, and Leona Lambert of West Warwick, RI, and 3 brothers: Glaston DeHart of Barnabus, Estil DeHart, Jr. of Low Gap, and Tex DeHart of Oceana. Also, preceeding her in death was her daughter, Gloria Jean Kennedy of Columbus, Ohio.

Survivors include 3 daughters, Carlene Boggs of Micco, with whom she made her home, Pamela (Jerry) Jones of Beckley, and Carmela Gillman of Cary, NC. Three sons, Cornelius “Don”(Charlotte) Vance of Verdunville, David Ronnie (Nadine) Vance of Chapmanville, and Randal (Regina) Vance of Chauncey. Additional survivors include 17 grandchildren: Jennifer Hegenderfer, Edward Kennedy, Brad Mowery, Shawn Peyton Sinift, Billy Reeves, Melissa Vance, Joshua Don Vance, Mary Corns, Rachel Caudill, Kandi Perry, Terra Vance, Randal Scott Vance, Daniel Vance, Jerika Tilley, Jeremy Jones, Michael Gillman, and Mark Gillman. Twenty-seven great grandchildren: Dakota Smith, Todd Mowery, Kevin Sansom, Jack Kennedy, Joe Kennedy, Ty Yeager, Tayler Vance, Baylee Vance, Macy Vance, Jake Vance, Austin Smith, Paige Smith, Brooke Corns, Ashtyn Mooreland, Ethan Caudill, Haylee Caudill, Tucker Caudill, Addison Perry and Cooper Perry, Rosie Hovda, Landon Vance, Lennon Vance, Lexi Jones, Aubrey Tilley, Layla Jones, Maya Jones, Tyler Tham, and 10 great-great grandchildren: Braxton, Hendrix, Lennox, and Isla Mowery, Braylen and Colby Sansom, Juliet and Desmond Reeves, Kyson and Coleson Smith, Kensley Grace and Magnolia Rae Smith. She is also survived by her loving extended family, having fostered 76 children over the years, along with her daughter, Carlene. A special mention of gratitude includes Justin Bowens, who was like her own, and Chris Watson, who assisted greatly with her care.

Bertie was a member of the Walnut Grove FWB Church at Chauncey for more than 70 years, and served as the church treasurer for more than 50 years. She also attended the Church of the Living God at Stollings. She was an expert tailor and sales clerk for 28 years at Silver Brand Clothes, an exclusive men’s store in downtown Logan, and trained the other seamstresses also employed there.

She was honored to be selected as the Logan County Belle to represent the county from 1999 until 2000. She designed and made her many colonial dresses and accessories customarily worn by the Belles when hosting events in the county. At the age of 92, she released her first book, “Memories of Pine Creek”, that chronicles her life in the coal fields of southern WV, and the desperate struggle she and her 7 siblings faced to survive following the untimely death of her father at a very early age.

Her many interests include singing, playing her guitar, writing songs, and teaching her children who expressed an interest in playing the guitar and learning to sing harmony along with her. She formed a family gospel group, “Gospel Tones Tradition”, and together they traveled surrounding states as well as locally singing at various churches, concerts, reunions, and on the radio. She was invited, along with her daughter, Carlene, and granddaughter, Peyton, to sing at the Stardust Theater in Nashville, TN to raise money for the victims of the 911 disaster. The event was sponsored by United Way.

One of the highlights of her life was when, at the age of 95, her daughter, Carlene, took her to see the ocean for the first time. She was the community seamstress and barber and enjoyed creating her own patterns, and making clothes for her children, and children in the community, which included prom gowns and wedding dresses. She loved flowers, and spent much time tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She loved cooking for her family and disabled neighbors that she often fed. In addition, she would take one of her daughters along to help clean their houses because they were unable to, and she always refused to take any money. She was a good Samaritan who taught love, compassion, kindness, and humility through her example. She loved spending time with her family and her church family, and was an active participant in all church activities.

She was a light in a dark world, and a testimony to perseverance, hard work, Christian values, and love for one another. She leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith, unconditional love, and selfless service. Her life was a shining example of Christian grace, and she touched every heart with kindness, compassion, and joy. Although she will be deeply missed, the love she poured into her family, friends, church, and community will live on through the many lives she so faithfully blessed.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Sunday, July 6, 2025 at Collins Funeral Home Chapel.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm Monday, July 7, 2025 at the funeral home chapel with Pastor Charlie Blankenship and Pastor Randy Shell officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens in Godby, WV. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Collins Funeral Home, Inc. of Switzer, WV.