Marvin Claude Vess, Jr.

Marvin Claude Vess Jr., affectionately known as “Grad”, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, May 23rd, 2021. A native of McDowell County, he was the son of the late Marvin Claude Vess Sr. and China Louise Fender. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Elkins.

He grew up in McDowell County, where he fell in love with Patricia Rector. A graduate of UNC at Chapel Hill, he was a certified public accountant, having a private practice in Burnsville for a number of years. He later became CFO for Mars Hill College and he was actively involved with prison ministries. He also served on the Board of Directors of High Pastures in Burnsville, as well as various other boards including the Yancey County Board of Education. His greatest focus was always his family.

Surviving is his wife of 63 years, Pat Rector Vess; daughter, Harriet Vess McGinnis of Mars Hill; sons: Marcus Vess and wife Carol of Marietta, GA, Eric Vess and wife Sonya of Burnsville, Marvin Claude Vess III of Florida; sisters: Doris Buff of Marion, Lillian McKinney of Walhalla, SC; thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Tuesday, May 25th at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers. The family will receive friends and loved ones from 5:30 p.m. until service time. Niles Howell will officiate. Burial will take place Wednesday, May 26th at 10 a.m. in the Robinson Cemetery on Rock Creek. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for memorial donations to be made to the Avery Mitchell Prison Ministries at: High Country Prison Ministries, Attention: Terry Edwards, Treasurer – P.O. Box 161, Crossnore, NC 28616.

Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Vess family.

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