Julia Evangeline Thames (12/20/43-10/17/22), was born in Pickens County, Alabama, Vangie was a lifelong resident of Birmingham. She graduated from Phillips High School in 1962, desiring to become a secretary, and she practiced those skills for many years in two legal firms and in the trucking industry. She surrendered her life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in 1978 and joined the fellowship at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, where she was a faithful servant for 45 years. She attended many of the Bible studies there and Community Bible Study. A lover of children and gifted storyteller, Vangie's primary ministry was Children's Church, Vacation Bible School, and Neighborhood Bible Clubs. For many years after retirement, she enjoyed serving the church on Monday mornings by attendance tracking. She loved her brothers and sisters in Christ and especially her close-knit Homestead Sunday School class.
Vangie was preceded in death by Bill, her beloved husband of 48 years; her parents, Dunton and Marie Broughton; and her sisters, Ruth Rutledge and Barbara Dorman. She is survived by a brother, Mac Broughton, of Huntsville; a nephew, Michael Dorman (Anne), of Durham, North Carolina; a nephew, Christopher Dorman (Aimee), of Boulder, Colorado; a niece, Jennifer Berry, of Huntsville, Alabama; a nephew, Russ Rutledge (Keri), of Birmingham; and the Jane Adair family, who will greatly miss our "Aunt Van" and "GranVan." A lover of Jesus, her many friends, cruises, Snoopy, Wheel of Fortune, and country, Vangie will be remembered for her humble, fun-loving, generous, and joyful spirit.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in the chapel at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama on Monday, October 24, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please gift to Briarwood Presbyterian Church Missions.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Thames family.
