Ida Lou Vance

Ida’s Life’s Reflections Born on February 20, 1950 in Millen, Georgia, Ida Lou Allen Vance, was the daughter of the late Jethro Allen, Sr. and the late Amy Reeves McBride Allen. She was the youngest of eleven siblings born to this union, three of which preceded her in death: Shepard, Luther and Juanita. Having moved to Pompano Beach, Florida with her family at age six, Ida attended Broward County Public Schools. She attended Coleman and Charles R. Drews elementaries and earned her diploma from Blanche Ely High School in 1968 in Pompano Beach, Florida. She joined and fellowshipped at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the Ushers Board. Ida, affectionately called “Dut”, had a gentle spirit about her. She was good-natured, generous, compassionate, witty, loving and caring. On May 16, 1972, “Dut” and Melvin Vance repeated their marriage vows uniting as one. To this union, two wonderful sons were born: Idi and Dwayne. For approximately 35 years, she enjoyed a rewarding career in computer technology for Modular Computer and Boca Systems in Boca Raton, Florida, balancing her time at work with marriage and family. Ida’s family was most important to her. She developed, enjoyed and maintained a strong mother-daughter like relationship with her sister, Tannie, who inspired, encouraged and helped her grow in faith and celebrate God’s love in every aspect of her daily life. She also gained wisdom and strength from her other siblings and enjoyed a strong, loving relationship with all of her many nieces and nephews. She found time to “cook up” dishes, either free-hand, as seen on TV, family traditions or in cookbooks. Her specialty was the family favorite, “Wash Pot Brunswick Stew” which highlighted the family annual Fourth of July gathering. She also baked delicious chocolate cakes. “Fish Fry Thursday” was another event she initiated as well as Sunday dinner at the “Big House” (the family home). Ida touched the lives of many, particularly, children and the elderly. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 6:29 p.m. at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ida peacefully transitioned from life to eternity. Her husband Melvin, predeceased her. She leaves to cherish her memory two devoted sons: Idi Vance (Pam) of Tamarac, Florida and Dwayne Vance (Saunda) of Greenwood, South Carolina; a step-son Markus Vance of Tampa, Florida; three adoring grandchildren: Kailyn Vance of Orlando, Florida, Enda Vance of Fort Lauderdale and Kiah Vance of Tamarac, Florida; four sisters: Tannie Shuman of Chula, Georgia, Ollie Hill of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, E. Gwendolyn Black of Lauderhill, Florida and Mary Goodrum of Pompano Beach, Florida; three brothers: Lovejoy Allen and Jethro Allen, Jr. (Daisy) both of Pompano Beach, Florida and David Allen (Annette) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; a dear and caring sister-in-law: Easter Archie of Augusta, Georgia; two godchildren: Chastity Kinchen (who calls her “girl friend”) of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida and Ursula Mathis; two devoted nieces, Sonja Sangster of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida and Dorothea Carty of Margate, Florida and a beloved nephew, Quincy Allen of Gainesville, Florida; a beloved cousin, JoAnn Goodwin, of Hephzibah, Georgia; special friends: Emma Spaggers (recently moved to Lake City, South Carolina and Laura Giles of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; two beloved neighbors: Lorna Molten and Helen Sutton, both of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and a host of loving and caring nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Ida Lou Vance

February 20, 1950 - April 25, 2022