Our Staff

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.

With over 20 consecutive years of funeral service experience, Samuel is a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director in the state of Arkansas and currently has the Embalming Contract for nine funeral homes across the state. Samuel is known as an Embalmers Embalmer- one who is called on by other embalmers for his expertise, to embalm difficult cases and/or small children.

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) Morbid the Great Dane and Breezie the Pomeranian.

Telephone: 1-501-337-0100

Kisha Holmes-Vance

Licensed Funeral Director

Kisha Holmes-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 at the United State Army Corps of Engineers. She enjoys traveling abroad, cooking and spending quality time with her three sons Jay, Samuel and Samson. She attends First Baptist Church, North Little Rock where she is an active member.

Johnetta Burnett

Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer Apprentice

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 Pine Bluff, with her husband Gary, son and their Great Dane, Kratos.

Deon L. Sullivan

Funeral Director Apprentice

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 is currently working on his Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, and is expected to graduate in the spring of 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.

Ashley Ali-Banks

Funeral Director Apprentice & Embalmer Apprentice

Ashley Ali-Banks is a native of Malvern, AR. Ashley was a 2007 Honor graduate of Malvern High School. She went on to pursue a career in nursing and graduated from Ouachita Technical College, currently College of the Ouachitas, in 2010 with a Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing. In 2012, Ashley obtained her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from College of the Ouachitas. Most recently, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in May 2018.

Ashley became passionate about funeral services while working as a hospice nurse (2011-2013). Her goal is to always care for each patient and their loved ones with compassion, integrity, excellence, dignity, and humility, and she will to carry these same principles in her role as a Funeral Director/Embalmer. Ashley will begin courses at the University of Arkansas-Hope & Texarkana to obtain an Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service Education in January 2019 and is expected to complete the program in May 2020. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, working as a Registered Nurse, gaining knowledge, and creating memories.

Tracy R. Spencer

Funeral Attendant

Tracy Spencer is new to the funeral services industry; however, his service to this field is not surprising because it aligns with his passion to serve and support people. His personal background reflects his core values through his belief in Jesus Christ; his respect and understanding of the Spirit of Humanity; his hard work efforts and actions to live life to its best while upholding and striving for quality; his utmost grateful ness to all life experiences and blessings that yield from opportunities to support and serve his fellow man and woman-kind; and his unwavering efforts to cherish and maintain his ties to close family and friends.

Professionally, Tracy is a successful, small business owner where he works with manufacturing and other businesses across and outside the state of Arkansas (2011); and is a real estate agent (2012). He has been actively practicing real estate in the state of Arkansas since (2007) and also is serving, and has served, on a number of civic and professional association boards as treasurer for its respective organizations. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix- Little Rock Campus (2006) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Central Arkansas (1995).

Tracy understands and lives with the profound knowledge that degrees and material things only help to yield a certain kind of quality of life as well as provides a means to living; but he fully knows that these things are temporal and can change with the ‘blink of an eye’; and that these things do not take the place of simple kindness and compassion to all human beings. He is thankful to serve at Samuel L. Vance and Sons Funeral Directors (2015).

Dr. Marshawn Wilbourn

Chaplain - Funeral Director Apprentice

Dr. Marshawn C. Wilbourn, Sr. is from East Saint Louis, Illinois. He was raised in East Saint Louis, Illinois. He is a Graduate of Lincoln High School Class of 1990. He is also a graduate of UALR (2000) Liberal Arts BA, UAPB (2004) Sociology BA, North Carolina College of Theology- Biblical Studies MA (2011) and North Carolina College of Theology- Doctoral of Theology (2013).

Dr. Wilbourn went off to serve our great County in 1991. He served fourteen years in the military. Serving during Desert Storm and Shield and Kuwait was apart of this journey.

Dr. Wilbourn is a consecrated Bishop and Founder of Holy Ground Ministries, INC. International. He is the overseer of the State of Missouri and Arkansas for Church Of God In Christ International.

Dr. Wilbourn is a family man. He has been married to his lovely wife Donna for 18 years and they have 4 children.

Dr. Wilbourn is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, INC. Kappa Psi, Fall 99 (Deuce), was 2017-2018 Vice President of the graduate chapter Pi Lambda of Little Rock, AR, and now a member of Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, INC. Pine Bluff, AR. Arkansas State District Chaplain of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, INC.

Dr. Wilbourn is also a current member of Unity Lodge #424 PHA- AR, a Past Master of Busy Bee #345 Lodge PHA- AR, and Past District Deputy Grandmaster of Arknasas District #8 PHA Pine Bluff, AR.