Van VanZant Jr.

George (Van) Huddleston VanZant, Jr., 61, passed away on September 30, 2023, in Cleveland, MS.  Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, MS.  Celebration of Life Service will immediately follow at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at North Cleveland Cemetery. 

Van VanZant was born on June 17, 1962, in Jackson, MS, to George Huddleston VanZant, Sr., and Frances L. VanZant.

Graduating from Woodland Hills High School in Jackson, MS, Van went on to earn bachelor’s degrees from Ole Miss and Southern Miss. He started his accounting career with BP America in Tulsa, OK, and continued with BP for eighteen years in Houston, TX. In 2021, he advanced his career by taking a position as the Comptroller for Robinson Electric in Cleveland, MS.

Following college, Van spent several years working with Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru), which was instrumental in guiding his ministry focus. Serving full-time in California, he organized and led foreign mission trips, going to Uganda and China over two summers.

Van married Evelyn Thomas VanZant on June 27, 1992, in Hattiesburg, MS. The couple has three children: Becca, Thomas, and Ethan.

Van believed in the saving grace of God alone, freely given through Jesus Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. His faith influenced his life choices, guided his investment in his family, and drove his heart of service and ministry.

Van enjoyed serving as a deacon in the PCA, helping in Boy Scouts as an Assistant Scoutmaster, coaching and watching his sons play baseball, cheering for Ole Miss football, cultivating his roses, biking the MS150, studying American history, and listening to his daughter's music.

Van is survived by Evelyn VanZant (wife), Frances L. VanZant (mother), Lisa VanZant (sister), Becca VanZant (daughter), Thomas VanZant (son), and Ethan VanZant (son).

Van is preceded in death by George Huddleston VanZant, Sr. (father).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Van's name to Mission to North America, Mission to the World, Reformed University Fellowship, and the Baptist Student Union.