The funeral services for the late Mrs. Needra Vincent Yancey of 85 Valley View Drive, Covington, Georgia, who departed this life on Sunday, June 19, 2022 at Piedmont Newton Hospital in Covington, Georgia, will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. from the Greater St. Luke Baptist Church in Ashburn, Georgia. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Shingler, Georgia. Public viewing/visitation will be on Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. The remains will lie in state at the church on Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour. Services may be viewed Facebook Live from the "Shipps Funeral Home" Facebook page or by clicking the Video Stream link on this site's Home Page.
Needra Racheal Vincent Yancey was born on June 15, 1969 in Hollandale, MS. She was the first born child of the late Jesse Collum Vincent and Barbara Ann Stong Vincent. She began her Christian journey as a child at Mount Lula Baptist Church in Rolling Fork, MS.
Needra’s education began at Rolling Fork Elementary School in Rolling Fork, MS. After moving to Ashburn, GA with her family at the age of 10, she continued at Turner County Schools. She graduated from Turner County High School in 1987. She furthered her education by earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Valdosta State University in 1991. It was here where she also became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Because she desired to expand her horizons further, she also obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Kaplan University in 2019.
After graduating from Valdosta State, she later began her career as an Economic Support Specialist for the Turner County Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS) in Ashburn, GA. This initiated her commitment to serving her community. From here, she worked her way up through several roles to her final position with the state as a Quality Assurance Specialist. She dedicated 25 years to the State of Georgia and had the opportunity to serve numerous counties and communities throughout the state. Although she retired in 2019, her mission did not end here. A new chapter in her career began. She began working for the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an Emergency Management Specialist in the Public Assistance sector. In this role, she assisted Americans affected by natural disasters throughout the country.
Needra’s heart for service did not begin and end with her career. She displayed her heart for service in multiple areas: for God, for family, and for community. She was a proud lover of Christ and served God in many capacities. She became a member of New Mount Zion First Baptist Church in Ashburn, GA. As a member, she was later called to be and became a beloved Choir Director and Youth Department Coordinator. Her dedication touched the lives of many youth throughout the Ashburn community. Later in 2011, she became a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Shingler, GA. She enjoyed being part of the Choir and Praise Team. During her downtime, Needra loved shopping, singing, watching her favorite TV shows, and spending time with friends and family. Above all of her roles and accomplishments, being a devoted wife and mother was the absolute joy of her life.
She made her transition from this walk of life on Sunday, June 19, 2022 in Covington, GA. This day holds significance not only because it was Father’s Day and Juneteenth of 2022. But also because as a known “daddy’s girl” that happened to be born on Father’s Day, she was freed from this life on the same holiday. She was preceded in death by her father, Jesse Vincent.
Needra leaves to carry her light her mother, Barbara Vincent; daughters, Jacora Smart, Jacolyn Smart (Shelton Smart, Sammy Yancey, Jr.); step-sons, Telvin Yancey, Channing (Ayunna) Yancey; sisters, Mona (Gilbert) Reynolds, Nikki (Tony) Smith; brother, Jeston (Rotunda) Vincent, and a host of loving relatives, friends, Sorors, and colleagues.
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