Faydell Vann

Velma Faydell Vann, age 86 of Lampasas, passed from this life on September 13, 2024, at Lampasas Assisted Living in Lampasas, Texas.  She was born November 23, 1937, at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas to Jodie M. and Thelma F. (Binnion) Smith.

She was the proud daughter of a mounted cavalry Army Sergeant.  Vann attended Kempner school until 9th grade and graduated from Lampasas High School in May 1956.  After graduation, she attended business school in Lampasas and was an excellent bookkeeper.  She was employed at People's National Bank for six years and often shared memories of the Flood of '57.  On April 14, 1961, she married W. Lee Vann in Lampasas, and they enjoyed 58 years together.  They worked together operating Vann Livestock Company for 35 years, buying and selling hogs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and farm equipment.  Shipping livestock all over the United States and Mexico, they were buyers for Roeglein, Swift, Cudahy Packing, San Antonio Pack, and Bryant Foods, in addition to numerous feedlots.  Vann was a true farm wife.  She not only worked livestock and bottled many "babies," but she gardened and canned the vegetables and fruits to feed her family.

While raising the family, she worked for Lampasas County Farm Bureau as well as the Lampasas Cattle Auction and Lometa Cattle Auction.  After her kids were grown and started families of their own, she was employed by Lampasas ISD at Lampasas Middle School as a teacher's aide and substitute teacher.  She especially enjoyed her time working with special needs students.

Faydell was a 4-H leader for many years, teaching cooking and sewing, and was often sought as a judge for 4-H shows in the area.  She, along with her husband, were very active in Lampasas County Farm Bureau and the Lampasas County Youth Livestock Show.  They and many other agricultural families were instrumental in building the Lampasas County Livestock Show barn, developing the Livestock Association, and organizing the Ladies Auxiliary.  The 1993 Lampasas County Youth Livestock Show was dedicated to Lee and Faydell Vann.  Every year at the county stock show, a belt buckle is given in Lee and Faydell's honor to a senior showman who has exhibited exceptional congeniality and sportsmanship.

Faydell was a member of the First Street Church of Christ where she taught preschool Bible class for over 50 years.  She was known for her excellent dishes at church dinners, and her peach cobbler was often requested.

Lee and Faydell were devout Christians and believed in improving one's self and helping others.  Their greatest pride was that their three children all attended and graduated college and served their communities through public education.  Leslie, the oldest, is a retired school superintendent; Joe, is a retired agri-science teacher from Burnet; and Judy teaches at Lampasas ISD as an agri-science teacher and former English teacher.

Faydell was preceded in death by her husband, W. Lee Vann; her parents and step-father, W.T. Vogel; brothers-in-law, John I. Vann, Vaughn Vann, Lynn Vann, Dale Vann, and Louis Hill; sisters-in-law, Joan Vann and Fannie Hill; and great-granddaughter, Claire Evelyn Phillips.  She is survived by son, Leslie Vann and wife Melody of Decatur; son, Joe Vann and wife Amy of Burnet; daughter, Judy Hail and husband Mike of Lampasas; sister, Thelma Jo Bays and brother-in-law, Gerald; sisters-in-law, Lynette Vann of Evant and Marianne Scarborough of Lakeway; grandchildren, Miles Vann and wife Lyndsey, Vandi Nuckles and husband Jared, Kirby Phillips and husband Clay, Kleg Kennedy, Ellett Vann and wife Lyndsi, Jonathan Hail and wife Kathryn, and Jake Hail and wife Chandler; great-grandchildren, Logan Vann, Robby Vann, Faylee Nuckles, Elsie Jo Nuckles, Emmalen Phillips, Jayden Hail, Colton Hail, Jackson Hail, and Henry Hail.  She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Rollins Brook Advent Hospital, Jamie Jones NP-C, Tex-Med Home Health, Lampasas Assisted Living, New Century Hospice, Hospice nurse Kayla Castruita, Tex-Med nurse Yvonne Washburn, and the First Street Church of Christ family for their love and support.

Visitation for Faydell will be held at First Street Church of Christ on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 10 am with the funeral service following at 11 am.  Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in her honor to Lampasas County Youth Livestock Show's Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, 704 N. 7th Street, Lometa, Texas 76853.