A.Pratt Vansant

Albert Pratt Vansant of Galena, MD, died at Smith Creek Assisted Living, Warwick, MD, on April 8, 2012, at the age of 86. Mr Vansant was born in Kent County, DE, the son of the late Grace and Albert Vansant. Mr. Pratt, "Pop Pop", was born into a farming family and had the heart and soul of a farmer all his life. He was a dairy farmer for over twenty-five years after which he came to become a manager of the Gillespie and Sons Concrete Plant in Chestertown, MD, for over thirty years. His service to the community included years of leadership in the Masons as a 32° Scottish Rite freemason of the Chester Lodge #115, and a longtime member of Gideons International. He had a deep faith in God and love of Jesus Christ. He was a lifelong United Methodist and member of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Millington, MD. He enjoyed car trips across the country with Lois, his late, beloved wife of sixty-seven years. Reading western novels and watching western movies and television shows were a few of his favorite pastimes. Family get-togethers with the extended families of his four siblings and five children provided memorable occasions for food, laughter, softball games, and an overall good time. His wit, wisdom, unflagging determination, and courageous fortitude are a continuous inspiration and model for all who were fortunate enough to know and love him. He is survived by his brother Albert E. "Bud" Vansant and his wife Lois of Georgetown; sisters Dorothy "Sis" Davidson and her husband Clem of Millington, Betty Coleman and her husband Bill of Worton, and Janet Walmsley of Middletown, DE daughters Susan Gale Smith and her husband Mitchell of Charlottesville, VA, and Christine Walters and her husband Douglas of Galena, Maryland; sons Levin Elliott VanSant and his wife Nancy of Felton, DE, Walter Randolph Vansant and his wife Bonnie of Gordonsville, VA, and Fletcher Pratt Vansant of Elkton, MD; grandchildren Kelly Young, Traci VanSant, Kim VanSant, Michael VanSant, Erin Rittenhouse, Jessica Smith, Brian Walters, Eric Walters, Lois Cole, Whitney Shifflett, Alycia Vansant and Alexandra Vansant; and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 2 p.m. in the Fellows Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home,130 Spear Road, Chestertown, Maryland. Interment will follow at the Chester Cemetery, Chestertown, MD. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m, on Friday, April 13, at the funeral home with the Masonic service at 7:45 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his memory to Chester Lodge #115 of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, P.O. Box 112, Chestertown, Maryland 21620; Gideon Memorial Bible Plan, P.O. Box 651, Chestertown, Maryland 21620; Amedisys Hospice Care, 107 Chesapeake Blvd, Suite 134, Elkton, MD 21921; Chester River Home Care and Hospice, 6602 Church Hill Rd, Chestertown, Maryland 21620; the Hope Fellowship of Asbury United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 187, Millington, Maryland 21651; or the Memorial Fund at Olivet United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 107, Galena, Maryland 21635.

A.Pratt Vansant

May 7, 1925 - April 8, 2012