Vanzilla was born February 5, 1925, in Brownsville, Tennessee, the daughter of Joe and Viola (Hopson) King. All who knew her called her "Van". She spent much of her life in Texas working as a Nurse providing tender, loving care to the elderly. Van and her husband, Roy Potts, opened up their home as care givers to many of their elderly patients.
She met her husband Roy while they were both working at Lake Texhoma Medical Center in Denison, Texas. Later they married and relocated to San Antonio, Texas. It was here that they begin pursuing their passion for nursing and caring for people who needed their love. Many of these people spent many years in their care and it was appreciated with much gratitude by their families.
Van, in spite of being born at a time in history that was unkind to women, rose above all the adversity and oppression of the times. Never giving up, she preserved and prospered in her love and faith in God. She loved to sing, worship and praise the Lord. Van believed with all of heart and soul in the "Glory of Jesus".
In 2010, Van entered her second phase of retirement and relocated to Savannah, Georgia to be closer to her beloved son and daughter-in-law, James and Wanda McGill. It was at this time that she became a member of Christ Memorial Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by: twenty-two brothers and sisters; three children; and her husband. Through all of this, she never wavered in her faith and love for God.
Van leaves to cherish her memories: her loving children, John Lowery (Ann), Toledo, OH, James McGill (Wanda), Savannah, GA, Joseph McGill of Ft Wayne, IN, Lawrence McGill (Tonia) of Ft. Wayne, IN and Vilestine Speer (Steve, of San Marcos, CA; fifteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; many "adopted" children; and hundreds of loving relatives ad friends.
Vanzilla K. Potts passed away peacefully on May 17, 2016 at the age of 91 in Savannah, Georgia in the care of Azalealand Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. If she could speak to us today, she would remind each of us to love one another and love the Lord.