Arthur Vann Jr.

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Arthur Vann Jr. was born on Nov. 18, 1953 to Annie Rose Vann and Arthur L. Vann Sr. in Birmingham, Alabama. Arthur lost his life in Tulsa, Oklahoma on July 20, 2011, doing what he loved to do, driving an 18-wheeler.

Arthur attended Terry S. Boyd School in Dora, Alabama. His passion for travel led him to truck driving school. Arthur put over 30 years into the trucking industry. He was a very active man and besides his passion for driving trucks, he loved to fish, work on cars, spend time with his children and grandchildren and Arthur could tell a long story. He knew how to bring a smile to the faces of everyone he encountered. Arthur never met a stranger.

Arthur Vann met Deborah Taylor in Birmingham, Alabama. From that long-term relationship Patrice Taylor was born June 27, 1972.

Arthur married Cynthia Vann on Sept., 12, 2011 and from that union he gained seven step-children who loved him dearly.

Arthur Vann Jr. is survived by his wife, Cynthia Vann of Du Quoin; his mother, Annie Rose Vann of Dora, Ala.; his daughter, Patrice Taylor of Columbus, Ohio; his brothers, Sheridan Hall, Timothy (Freda) Vann and Christopher Vann, all of Alabama; his sisters, Rochelle Stewart and Desi Bell of Alabama; his step-children, De Mario Hilliard Sr., Chauncy (Erin) Hilliard Sr., Monica Thomas, Trayvon (Amy) Johnson Sr., Tamara Navarro, LaTonya (Matthew) Knoop and LaKeisha Johnson, all of Du Quoin; 18 grandchildren and a host of close cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Arthur was known to many as Old Man, Cuddie, Old Head, Jr., Pop, Art, Pa Pa, my oldest brother, big country and so much more. Everyone who knew him loved him dearly and family was the most important thing to him. He died an open spirit.

His grandparents, Jake and Florence Hall, his father, Arthur Vann Sr., his sister, Faye Parker; aunt, Della Jones and granddaughters, Ashanti Hilliard and April Hilliard preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Friday, July 29 at 2 p.m. at VFW Post 513 on U.S. 51 in Du Quoin with Rev. Lawrence King officiating.