NEWSOMS—Andy Franklin Vann, 53, passed away on Jan. 24, 2015.

He was a graduate of Southampton High School, an active member of Newsoms Baptist Church, a member of Newsoms Hunt Club, and former member of Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department.

Andy was a slasher operator in the woodyard of International Paper with 29 years of service.

He was a former owner and operator of “Line Drive Hitting,” and former Chip Mill manager with Enviva Pellets of Ahoskie.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 30 years, Ercelle Cogsdale Vann; two daughters, Megan V. Holland and husband, Dustin, of Franklin, and Bethany Lynn Vann of Newsoms; one son, Zachary Seth Vann of Newsoms; his parents, Robert and Jackie Vann of Newsoms; two sisters, Sharon V. DeVillier and husband, Ray, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Vicki V. Gray and husband, Wayne, of Boykins; two brothers, Robert S. “Bobby” Vann Jr. and wife, Kathy, of Boykins, and Randy C. Vann and wife, Sherry, of Newsoms; and nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, in Newsoms Baptist Church with the Rev. Jason Wise, the Rev. Curt Faison and the Rev. Kenneth Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, and suggest memorials be made to Newsoms Baptist Church, P.O. Box 312, Newsoms, VA 23874, or Newsoms Hunt Club, 29140 Cypress Bridge Road, Newsoms, VA 23874.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org