Gwendolyn Singleton Vann was born in Forsyth County, North Carolina on May 4, 1937 to the late William T and Emma Terry Singleton. She was the third of thirteen children. Gwendolyn was raised in Newport News, Virginia where she attended Newsome Park Elementary School and graduated from George Washington Carver High School.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Jefferson Park along with her family. She attended Sunday School, BTU, a youth usher and later a member of the Young Adult Ministry.  She also attended the Annual Church School Institute sponsored by the Baptist State Sunday School Convention of Virginia Seminary and College, Lynchburg Virginia. While in school, she played all sports, basketball being her favorite. After graduating from high school, she moved to Asbury Park, New Jersey with her sister Maria seeking better and challenging employment.

Gwendolyn was employed at Winslow Teletronics, Asbury Park, NJ for over 10 years. While working at Winslow, she attended Brick Career institute in Brick, NJ to further her knowledge in the electronic field. She later was employed at Allied Signal (Bendix Corp), Eatontown, NJ. She worked there for thirty three years until the company relocated to Mexicali, Mexico.

After the company relocated, she had the opportunity to travel to Mexicali to do some consulting and training for the company. She also attended TekSolv Technical Training and Consulting School in Eatontown, where she enhanced her computer skills.

In 1958 Gwendolyn joined the Second Baptist Church in Asbury Park under the pastorate of the Rev. Alford L Pugh. She was a member and President of the Ladies Usher's Ministry, Sunday School, Conservation Committee, Women's Ministry, Culinary Committee and the 3Ms Bowling League. She was also a member of the Seacoast Usher's union where she held the position of Vice President and was the Chairperson for the Seacoast User's Union education Committee.

Gwendolyn loved bowling in the church's league and many other local bowling leagues. She participated in the Local, State, and National Bowling Tournaments. Her participation in the National Tournament for over 40 years afforded her the opportunity to travel to many states.

She was predeceased by her husband David Vann in 1995 and stepson David Vann III in 1991.

She leaves to cherish her memories, one daughter, Phyllis D. Singleton, Neptune; two stepsons, Gregory A. Vann, Cherry Hill, NJ and Marvin P. Vann, Willingboro, NJ; four sisters, Maria Robinson, Neptune, NJ, Herlene H. Tye, Hampton, VA, Elizabeth Q. Lattimore, Upper Marlboro, MD and Carolyn W. Pullen, Washington, D.C.; two brothers, Roland D. Singleton, Washington, DC and Leonard I. Singleton, Burlington, NC; A daughter in law Cecelia M. Vann, Washington, DC; seven grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.