Vonceil Hill Lank

A graveside service for Vonceil Hill Lank will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent in Shreveport, Louisiana. Officiating will be Dr. Larry Williams of Broadmoor Baptist Church.

Vonceil was born in Shongaloo, Louisiana on November 21, 1924 to Effie Mae Morgan Hill and Duncan Dolford Hill and passed away Monday, December 16, 2024 at her home in Shreveport, Louisiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 43 years, Edwin Riley Lank; son-in-law, John Edward Burkett; sister, Christine Maurice Lindsey (Morris); nieces, Sharon Tharp, Judy Lofton and Marilyn Lank and nephew, Bryce Lank.

She leaves behind a family to cherish her memory, a son, Daniel Riley Lank and wife, Sherri; a daughter, Cynthia Renae Lank Burkett; grandchildren, Christopher Daniel Lank and wife, Alison, Hannah Cowden and husband, Fred and Haley Soldner and husband, Paul; great-grandchildren, Rollin Evan Lank, Paisley Ruth Lank, Christopher Ellison, Garrett Cowden, Mackenna Cowden and Kylie Soldner; special nieces, Shellie Noble and husband, Dan, Sheila Branton and husband, Dan and nephew, Robert Byron Lank, Jr.

Vonceil graduated high school at Shongaloo in 1942 and Louisiana Tech University in 1945, where she met Ed, the love of her life. Her working years involved career changes due to her husband employment with United Gas & Penzoil. With United Gas, she began as Assistant Home Demonstration Agent in Claiborne Parish, Associate HDA in Bossier Parish and filled a vacancy as Agent in Natchitoches.

She was blessed as a stay-at-home mom as they raised their children. During that time she was PTA President at Arthur Circle and Youree Drive Middle School, receiving a Life Time Membership Award, Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader, Vacation Bible School teacher and Sunday School teacher.

She returned to a teaching career in Caddo Parish, teaching at Youree Drive Jr. High and Valencia Middle School. Upon transfer to Houston, she attended University of Houston and Texas A & M, while teaching school in the Spring Branch Independent School District at Northbrook Middle School until her retirement and return to Shreveport.

Vonceil and Ed joined Broadmoor Baptist Church in 1951. She was active in Sunday school serving as President of the Deborah Sunday School class for many years, WMU, Circle of Love and Hope Widows group. Other organizations included Shreveport Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, Caddo Retired Teacher Association and Broadmoor Neighborhood Association. Genealogy was her hobby.

She found time to care for both Ed’s parents and her own in their golden years. Upon the death of her dad, she brought her mother to Shreveport and cared for her for 10 years, until her death at the age of 97. Her devotion was to her family and extended family. She loved to cook and have family together. She loved each one dearly- nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. Her philosophy was “to have a friend, you have to be one”.

The family suggests memorials may be made to Broadmoor Baptist Church Senior Ministry or any organization concerned with children.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for her, with a special thanks to her caregivers, Lorna Lee, Natosha Gates and Candy West Thompson and the nurses of Christus Hospice.