Veronica “Ronnie” Jean Vann, 77, of Chiefland, Florida, passed away peacefully with family by her side on March 2, 2023. Born in Mobile, Alabama, Ronnie grew up in Florham Park, New Jersey and, after high school, moved to Florida to pursue a hospitality degree at Daytona Beach Junior College (now Daytona State College). After serving as a Florida tourism welcome center greeter and receiving her associate degree, she followed her heart and enrolled in cosmetology school, finding her calling of styling hair at both Verda’s Beauty Salon and Tory’s Total Hair Care in Naples, Florida.
Known for her beautiful smile and kind heart,Ronnie spread love and joy to everyone she met, truly never meeting a stranger. She loved making others smile and always had a knack for giving the perfect gifts, often procured from her love of bargain and thrift shopping, known as “garaging.” Additionally, Ronnie enjoyed crafting, cooking, wearing anything that sparkled or shined and traveling, especially if that meant exploring the world with Heather, her daughter, and Ernie, her loving partner and husband, together nearly 30 years.
She is preceded in death by: her mother Elizabeth “Betty” Gartrell, father Charles Gartrell, Sr., birth father George Loden, sister Pamela Weiler, two brothers William “Billy” Gartrell and Charles “Chuck” Gartrell, Jr and stepdaughter Betty Jean “Jeannie” Reese.
She is survived by: her husband Ernest “Ernie” Vann; daughter Heather (Nathan) Hilliard; three stepchildren Robert (Tracie) Vann, Johnny (Penny) Vann and Patricia (John) Kenney; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
A celebration of Ronnie’s life will be held at Haven Tri-Counties Hospice Care Center (Event Building behind center – 311 NE 9th Street in Chiefland) on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Welcome and visitation with family will begin at 1 pm and service at 2 pm, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Haven Hospice at www.BeYourHaven.org.
Our hearts go out to all of Ronnie’s family and friends.
To know her was to love her. Her laughter and giggles still echo in my mind and she will have a place in our hearts forever .
She was my sister Ruth’s best friend growing up and they remained best friends the rest of her life . Ronnie was a regular at our home growing up and when my sister married Jack – we continued to see her through her through the years l.
We all lost one very sweet and loving person. She will be missed by so many! Lots of love and sympathy to all her family!
Fondly, Andy and Irene Ness
(Friends of Ronnie but always felt more like family)