Bess L. (Clifton) Vance

Bess L. (Clifton) Vance

On Saturday, May 30, 2020, in the early hours of the morn, Bess L. Vance, beloved wife, mother, grand and great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and dear friend passed away at her home in Ephrata, Pennsylvania with her loving devoted husband of nearly 67 years, Robert (Bob) Vance by her side.

Bess, highly spiritual and greatly spirited was a southern belle cut from the tightly woven cotton of the Mississippi Delta. The daughter of sharecroppers relocated as a young adult with her family to Covington, Kentucky where she met the love of her life, Bob. He was her white knight and she was his queen. They were blessed with three daughters and built a happy home and life in West Covington before eventually moving to Walton. With her daughters grown and starting their own families, she began a job at P&G with her beloved sister Martha, where they indulged in a favorite hobby and passion of lunch time shopping.

In the early 1980s Bess made another big move relocating to Naples, Florida working alongside her husband in real estate and property management. She loved the Florida sun and had a bevy of interesting friends. She was fiercely hospitable and made anyone who crossed her doorstep feel like the dearest of family. She kept a beautiful home and served delicious home cooked meals. Always the quintessential hostess, conversation was never dull and could easily last into the wee hours over coffee and homemade pie. Her elegance and generosity had no boundaries and she lovingly embraced caring for Bob, her parents, and her ever expanding family. Always glamorous, no matter the chore, she was truly a ‘Grand Gal’ from a forgotten era.

She is survived and remembered by her beloved husband, Robert (Bob) Vance; Daughters, Anita (Pat) Wilson, Joy (Ted) Clingner, Pam (Mike) Bell. Grandchildren; Joseph, Nicole, Bree, Brian, Hollie, Amber, and Jessie; eleven great grandchildren and many extended family and friends.

Bess was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Mary Clifton; her sister Martha Nelson; and her granddaughter Julie (Dickmeyer) Zerheusan.

Services will be on June 18, 2020 at Ludlow Baptist Church, 400 Linden Street, Ludlow, Ky. Visitation will begin at 9:30 and services will follow at 10:00.

Graveside services and internment of her ashes immediately following at Forest Lawn, 3227 Dixie Hwy., Erlanger, Kentucky.

There will be a reception with food following at Linneman Event Center, located at 1940 Burlington Pike, Burlington, Ky.