Obituary for Robert M. Vann Jr.
Robert McKinley “Beezy” Vann, Jr.
The writer of Ecclesiastes proclaimed, “To everything there is a season, and time to every
purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die…” With heavy, yet comforted
hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved, Mr. Robert McKinley “BEEZY” Vann, Jr. on
Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Mobile, Alabama after an extended illness. His passing marks the close
of a chapter in our Vann family history that began on Friday, April 20, 1979, in Los Angeles,
California. The son of the late Robert McKinley “Bobby” Vann, Sr. and Deborah L. “Debbie”
Ford Vann, “Lil Robert”, as he was affectionately called by his family, had made Mobile,
Alabama his home since early childhood. In the months preceding his transition, Robert had
developed a sense of what is often called “the Spirit of Elijah,” the Old Testament prophet who
prophesied of a “turning of the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to
the children.” He had spoken openly about his desire to learn more about his father and his
paternal family history in order to understand himself on a deeper level. He will forever be
remembered for his jokes, laughter, smile, and love of Coca Cola. These treasured memories will
keep our hearts turned to his heart as we learn to navigate a world without him in it. We take
comfort in knowing that he has taken his place among those who have come and gone before and
trust that he will watch over us in ways that his earthly limitations did not allow.
He is survived by his children, Michaela Leonard-Vann, Deborah Delove Vann, Dana Michelle
Vann, Alyssa JaVonne Vann, and Lathan McKinley Vann, grandchildren, Darius Devante Tripp,
Kanan Kyrie Tripp, Miyanna Noelle Jackson, Khazi Jeanpaul Cooper, Kendallyn Armani
Stewart, De’Mir Amari Scott, and Tyrek Keyon Riley, Jr., siblings, Victora (Rashi) Pines,
Shamiah Fields, Dale (Courtney) Chase, Sr., and Kalonia Jennings, and a host of nieces,
nephews, and large extended family. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 5,
2023, at 10am at Little Rock Baptist Church, 140 Meaher Ave. Prichard, AL 36610. Your
prayers for continued comfort during this time of bereavement are greatly appreciated. Beezy,
May the Lord watch between us and thee while we are absent one from another.
The writer of Ecclesiastes proclaimed, “To everything there is a season, and time to every
purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die…” With heavy, yet comforted
hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved, Mr. Robert McKinley “BEEZY” Vann, Jr. on
Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Mobile, Alabama after an extended illness. His passing marks the close
of a chapter in our Vann family history that began on Friday, April 20, 1979, in Los Angeles,
California. The son of the late Robert McKinley “Bobby” Vann, Sr. and Deborah L. “Debbie”
Ford Vann, “Lil Robert”, as he was affectionately called by his family, had made Mobile,
Alabama his home since early childhood. In the months preceding his transition, Robert had
developed a sense of what is often called “the Spirit of Elijah,” the Old Testament prophet who
prophesied of a “turning of the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to
the children.” He had spoken openly about his desire to learn more about his father and his
paternal family history in order to understand himself on a deeper level. He will forever be
remembered for his jokes, laughter, smile, and love of Coca Cola. These treasured memories will
keep our hearts turned to his heart as we learn to navigate a world without him in it. We take
comfort in knowing that he has taken his place among those who have come and gone before and
trust that he will watch over us in ways that his earthly limitations did not allow.
He is survived by his children, Michaela Leonard-Vann, Deborah Delove Vann, Dana Michelle
Vann, Alyssa JaVonne Vann, and Lathan McKinley Vann, grandchildren, Darius Devante Tripp,
Kanan Kyrie Tripp, Miyanna Noelle Jackson, Khazi Jeanpaul Cooper, Kendallyn Armani
Stewart, De’Mir Amari Scott, and Tyrek Keyon Riley, Jr., siblings, Victora (Rashi) Pines,
Shamiah Fields, Dale (Courtney) Chase, Sr., and Kalonia Jennings, and a host of nieces,
nephews, and large extended family. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 5,
2023, at 10am at Little Rock Baptist Church, 140 Meaher Ave. Prichard, AL 36610. Your
prayers for continued comfort during this time of bereavement are greatly appreciated. Beezy,
May the Lord watch between us and thee while we are absent one from another.