Charles Franklin Vann
Charles Franklin “Climber” Vann, age 70, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Wednesday, April 15, at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville.
Climber was born March 6, 1945, in the Upper Camp on Windrock Mountain in Anderson County. He has lived in Oliver Springs since his early childhood.
He retired in 2006 from the Y-12 Federal Plant in Oak Ridge as a truck driver. Before his employment at Y-12, he worked in the construction business, and he was a member of the Local Teamsters # 519.
He was a member of the Indian Creek Baptist Church and the Moose Club # 1316 in Oak Ridge. He loved outdoor activities and spending time with his family.
Climber was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Vann and Rosie Jane Russell Vann; by sisters, Odessa Vann and Mildred Seiber; and by brothers, Kenneth Russell, Rev. Freddie Vann, Robert “Junior” Vann, and Ralph Vann.
He is survived by his wife, Marteen Vann; by a daughter, Julie Ray and husband Darrell; by a son, Robert M. Vann and wife Kimberly, all of Oliver Springs; by grandchildren, Courtney, Brooklyn, and Cooper Jones, Bethany Ray, Makayla Meredith, Ciara Vann, Josh, Matthew, Elijah, and Madison Grizzle; and by great-grandchildren, Mason Wagoner, Laklee Meredith, and Riley Melton.
Additionally, he is survived by sisters, Margaret Green, Ida Rogers, and Naomi Seiber and husband Jackie, all of Oliver Springs, and Gladys Houston of Kingston; by a brother, Irvin Vann of Oliver Springs; and by a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and special friends.
The family will receive friends Friday, April 17, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Darrell Vann and Pastor Robert Melton officiating. Burial and graveside services will be held Saturday, April 18, at 11 a.m. at the Indian Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to PK Hope Is Alive, 117 New Haven Road, Oak Ridge, TN.
Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Vann Family, and an online guestbook is available at wwwsharpfh.com.
Leave a Reply