Samuel L. Vance II
Chief Mortician/ Funeral Director In Charge
Samuel L. Vance II
Chief Mortician/ Funeral Director In Charge
Samuel L. Vance II was born in 1980 to the proud parents of Samuel L. and the Late Joyce Ragland Vance in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. From an early age, Samuel posed the Vance trait of hard work and striving for perfection to be at the top of everything he did. Samuel begun his career in funeral service at Perry-Hearn & Scott Funeral Home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas under the leadership of Roy D. Hearn, while in high school. In 1999, Samuel graduated from Pine Bluff High School where he was a member of the band. Later that year he enrolled at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Samuel is no stranger to hard work, during his collegiate years he held down four jobs while taking a full load of credit hours. Samuel was initiated as a member of the Beta Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporation in the fall of 2000. He had the pleasure of serving as Chapter President and was on many committees. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2003 with a Minor in Sociology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, he moved to Dallas. While attending Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Samuel was afforded the opportunities to work at Gregory W. Spencer Funeral Directors at the McGowan Mansion, Gregory W. Spencer Funeral Directors at the Cedar Crest Chapel, Paradise Funeral Home under the leadership of Mr. Frankie Washington, Peaceful Rest Funeral Home under the leadership of Mr. John Hollis King all in Dallas, TX and Gregory W. Spencer Funeral Directors under the leadership of the late Dr. Gregory W. Spencer in Fort Worth, TX. In 2004, Samuel received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service. After moving back to Arkansas, he worked for a government and state funded program. In 2005, Samuel relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas and began serving his apprenticeship under Mr. Samuel L. Mitchell whom it spent many hours, days and late nights with developing the techniques. Mr. Vance often times refer to Mr. Mitchell as His Father of Embalming. Later in 2005 he was hired at Watson-Northcrest Funeral Home in North Little Rock, Arkansas under the leadership of Mr. Alex R. Watson as their Embalmer and Funeral Director. Samuel took a leap of faith in 2006 and became self-employed at the age of 26. As an Entrepreneur in 2006, he applied for and obtain a resale permit to open Professional Male Apparel. Samuel is the President/CEO of Vance Investments of Arkansas, Inc. where he owns 100% of Samuel L. Vance and Sons Funeral Directors, Vance Mortuary Transport and Coach Livery, Vance Mortuary Trade Services, Vance Properties Management, Professional Male Apparel and Greekblazers.com. Samuel is also a silent partner and co-owner to two other companies. In 2008, Samuel obtained a Masters of Arts Degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University St Louis, Missouri. He later enrolled at University of Phoenix to pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Management.
After reaching out to Savannah Johnson of Johnson Funeral Home-Malvern from the time he graduated mortuary college inquiring about purchasing Johnson Funeral Home and getting no where with his efforts, Sam gave up on the ideal. In the summer of 2015, Mrs. Johnson contacted Samuel asking was he still interested in purchasing the funeral home. In the fall of 2015 Samuel purchased and became sole owner of Johnson Funeral Home. In 2016 Samuel changed the name of the funeral home to Samuel L. Vance & Sons Funeral Directors. He will be forever grateful to Mrs. Savannah Wright Johnson for giving him a opportunity of a lifetime. In the spring of 2021 Samuel purchased Wilson & Jarrett Funeral Home in Morrilton, Arkansas from Barbara Wilson & family.
With over 23 consecutive years of funeral service experience, Samuel is a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director in the state of Arkansas, he currently has the Embalming Contract for nine funeral homes across the state. Samuel is known as an Embalmer's Embalmer- one who is called on by other embalmers for his expertise, to embalm difficult cases and/or small children. Samuel embalm between 350-450 cases per year on average.
As a Boy Scout of America, Samuel received the Eagle Scout Rank which is the highest rank in scouting. This rank is achieved by less than 4% of all scouts and less than 1% are African American. Samuel serves on the board for the Independent Arkansas Funeral Director and Mortician Association. He is an active Life Member #1708 of the Mu Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporation. He is also a member of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Incorporation. He is also a member of Arkansas Young Black Professional Association. Samuel attends First Baptist Church S.A Jones in North Little Rock, AR where he is a Trustee.
Samuel reside in Benton, Arkansas with his wife Kisha, daughter Layla, sons Jay, Samuel (Trey), Samson (Lil Sam) and Hearz the Doberman Pinscher.
Kisha D. Holmes-Vance
Licensed Funeral Director & Pre-Need Counselor
Kisha D. Holmes-Vance
Licensed Funeral Director & Pre-Need Counselor
Kisha Vance is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. She is a 1997 graduate of the Historical Little Rock Central High School. In 2005, Kisha obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting degree from Philander Smith College Little Rock, Arkansas. She later attended Webster University St. Louis and earned her Masters in Business Administration degree in 2008.
Kisha is currently employed with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. She enjoys traveling abroad, reading and spending quality time with her three sons Jay, Samuel and Samson. She attends First Baptist Church, North Little Rock were she serve on the Women Ministry, Beautification Ministry and Website Ministry.
Johnetta Burnett
General Manager/ Licensed Funeral Director
Johnetta Burnett
General Manager/ Licensed Funeral Director
Johnetta Burnett is a Pine Bluff native. Johnetta is a 2003 graduate of Dollarway High School in Pine Bluff, AR. In 2007, she earned a bachelors degree in Psychology from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, AR. Johnetta obtained a Masters in Forensic Psychology from Tiffin University in Tiffin, OH in 2009. She later received her Associate Degree in Applied Science Funeral Service in 2015 from the Arkansas State University- Beebe in Beebe, AR. Johnnetta served her Funeral Director and Embalmers apprenticeship under Mr. Vance, she is a Licensed Funeral Director in the State of Arkansas.
Johnetta is a member of Steward Memorial C.M.E Church in Pine Bluff, AR. Johnetta resides in Mayflower, with her husband Gary, sons, Garrison and Garren and their Great Dane, Chase.
Reginald Patton
Licensed Embalmer, Licensed Funeral Director
Reginald Patton
Licensed Embalmer, Licensed Funeral Director
Reginald Patton of Arkadelphia, AR was born and raised in Crossett, AR. Reginald graduated from Crossett Senior High School in 1999. He later graduated from University of Arkansas of Hope-Texarkana with an Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service, Funeral Directing Certificate of Proficiency and Funeral Directing Technical Certificate and became a Licensed Embalmer. He served at Mitchell Funeral Home as a Licensed Embalmers. Most recently he became a Licensed Funeral Director under Samuel L. Vance II leadership.
He is a part time substitute teacher for Clark County and the surrounding areas. He also is a member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Crossett, AR. Reginald always had a passion for the funeral industry and profession since the age of ten and is very sincere in taking care of families and their loved ones.
Reginald oversees the day to day operations for our Care Center (Embalming Facility)
Deon L. Sullivan
Licensed Funeral Director
Deon L. Sullivan
Licensed Funeral Director
Deon Lavar Sullivan is a native of Camden, Arkansas. He is a 2009 graduate of the Camden Harmony Grove High School. In 2015, Deon obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Arkansas Technology University in Russellville Arkansas. He earned his Master of Science in Higher Education Administration degree in 2017. Deon was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated by the way of the Nu Alpha Chapter Seated at Arkansas Tech University, and current member of the Epsilon Alpha Lambda Chapter in Arkansas Tech
Deon is currently employed with the Camden Fairview School District where he work as a First grade teacher. Deon is a member of New Calvary Temple Church of God In Christ in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He spends his time taking care of his parents, traveling, and with his fraternity brothers.
Matthew Anderson
Funeral Attendant
Matthew Anderson
Funeral Attendant
Matthew R. Anderson is a native of Conway, Arkansas. He is a 2020 graduate of Conway High School. In 2022, Matthew obtained an Associate of Arts in General Education from the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. He is currently attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock pursuing a degree in Mass Communications with a minor in Criminal Justice.
Lorne McKey
Funeral Attendant
Lorne McKey
Funeral Attendant
Lorne McKey, a native of Conway County, began working with his father’s family-owned business - McKey’s Lawn Service in Morrilton AR, at a very young age. While continuing the family business, Lorne began his car detail service in 1985, after graduating High School; two years later, he opened McKey’s Auto & Detail Service.
In 1993, his father brought another business to the Morrilton community, by establishing a U-Haul franchise dealership. While running his detail service, Lorne helped with the U-Haul rentals and assisted with the lawn service - all businesses he continues to manage today. Lorne has served on the Morrilton Wastewater Commission and the Conway County Fair Board and continues to be an asset to the Morrilton community.
When Lorne began his auto detail service in 1987, he was then introduced to the Wilson & Jarrett Funeral Home. Lorne had the responsibility of maintaining the cleanliness of the entire funeral home fleet. Through this interaction, the late Robert Wilson enlisted Lorne to assist with small funeral home tasks. Throughout the years, Lorne’s involvement with the activities of the funeral home evolved, under the then leadership and guidance of the late John Payne and his father the late Warren McKey. Lorne later took on the bigger role of driving the family car, a cherished responsibility belonging to his father, who passed away in 2013.
In 2020, Samuel L. Vance took over ownership of the funeral home, following the retirement of Mrs. Barbara Wilson. After 36 years of community service, Lorne continues to work for the funeral home, doing his part to carry on the legacy of Wilson & Jarrett, while establishing “The Epitome of Service” that is now Vance-Wilson & Jarrett.
Lorne is a deacon at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, in Plumerville, AR. He resides in Morrilton with his wife Tamala. They have a son Montel, daughter Alyse and one grandson, Hendrix.
Frances Payne
Funeral Attendant
Frances Payne
Funeral Attendant
Frances Payne of Morrilton, Arkansas. Mrs. Payne was born in El Dorado, Arkansas. She is a 1965 graduate of Grader High in Strong, Arkansas. Mrs. Payne has an associate degree in early childhood education from Shorter College. She is a member of Greater Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she serves as superintendent of Sunday School, a Deaconess and Program Secretary. Mrs. Payne enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with her children Yulonda, Kimberly, and Jermaine, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She has work for the funeral home for over ten years.
Jermaine Paye
Funeral Attendant
Jermaine Paye
Funeral Attendant
Jermaine Payne is a native of Morrilton, AR. He is a 1991 graduate of Morrilton High School. He studied at Arkansas State University and University of Central Arkansas. Jermaine is a member of Greater Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church. He loves sports and spending time with his kids and grandchild. Jermaine has worked at the funeral home over 25 years.
