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Clarissa “C.J.” Vance, 66, of Grandy, NC, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend passed away peacefully after a long illness bravely fought, surrounded by her family on February 15, 2025. She was a proud member of the Colington Volunteer Fire Department for several years as well as a skilled professional painter.

CJ touched many lives with her quick wit, compassionate heart, kind spirit, warm smile and personality. She approached life with honesty and humor holding firm to her beliefs.  Her family was the center of her world, she cherished every moment spent with them. Some of her passions included, politics, NASCAR, fishing, country music and gardening. CJ’s love of animals was a defining part of her life. Her two cats, Missy and Cookie brought her great joy and feeding squirrels and birds outside her window was a favorite pastime. CJ will leave behind a legacy of love and will forever be missed.

Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Sandra Saunders Kent (Brian) and Brittany Vance Warner (Tyler); her beloved sister, Susan McClanahan (Percy); brother, William “Billy” Saunders; her grandson, Cameron Kent as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

CJ was preceded in death by her son, Joshua Tolson; mother, Jeanne Saunders; father, Carroll Saunders; sister, Carol Banks; and brother, Thomas “Tommy” Saunders.

On Saturday, February 22, 2025 a funeral service will be held at Gallop Memorial Chapel in Barco, NC at 11 a.m. followed by the interment at Laurel Memorial Gardens. There will be a celebration of life afterwards at the family home in Harbinger.

Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with arrangements. Please share expressions of sympathy with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com.

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