Tom's Obituary

Obituary of Tom S. Vance
     Tom S. "Beauregard" "Pappy" Vance, our favorite story teller, passed away June 16,2002 at the age of 74 from complications of congestive heart failure. Vance was born March 20, 1928 in North Carolina to Thomas Beauregard Vance, Jr and Susan Ray Vance Brumit. He moved to Tennessee at an early age, attending school at Science Hill High School and East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. He came in Lebanon in the early fifties to attend Cumberland Law School. He later received his LLB Degree from the YMCA Night Law School. While attending Cumberland, he worked as an announcer at WCOR Radio Station after several years in the same capacity at WJHL in Johnson City.

     The family would like to express their appreciation to Doctors James Cato, Patrick Meacham, and Douglas Olsen for keeping Tom with us as long as they did. Our heartfelt gratitude.

     Vance was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly as Representative for Washington County in 1951, at the time, he was the youngest person ever elected and could not take his legislative seat until March, when he reached the qualifying age. He went to work for the State of Tennessee in 1962 in the Commerce and Insurance Department, where he later became Director of Regulatory Boards. He has filled many position in State Government, among them being a Staff Aide to Governor Ray Blanton, was a member of the Parole Board, and in the Legal Department of the Department of Mental Health. His last position being back where he began in the Investigative Division of the Regulatory Boards, serving as Assistant Director of Investigations. He served under six governors, including his time as a driver for Governor Gordon Browning.

     During the times Vance was away from state government, he operated his own business, was a lobbyist with the State Legislature and worked for the City of Lebanon. During the years of service, much of his time was spent working extensively with the General Assembly.

     Vance is survived by his wife of 33 years, Patricia Douglas Vance. His survivors include: Daughter and Son-in-law, Linda & Gabriel Perkins, Daughter and Son-in-law, Teresa & Gregg Wiegand, Son and Daughter-in-law Rodney & Carol Raney. Grandchildren: Tommy Gray, Joseph Gray, David Wiegand, Kevin Wiegand, Jeffrey Downing, Chase Latiolais, Courtney Latiolais, Skylar Raney, Michelle Perkins and Jennifer (Dale) Riley. Great-grandchildren: David and Page Riley. Although an only child, he leaves many cousins of the Vance Family, of Plumtree, Avery County, North Carolina, Including Gail Vance McNeil, Morganton, NC and Joan Vance Hughes, Hickory, NC.
     The faily will receive friends today, Monday, June 17, 2002, at the funeral home of Phillips-Robinson Co., 2707 Gallatin Road, from 5-9 p.m. Memorial services will be conducted on Tuesday, June 18, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Ephiphany Episcopal Church, 1500 Hickory Ridge Road, Lebanon, TN. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the Wilson Countg Service for Abused Women C/o YWCA Lebanon, TN 37087; or to the Alive Hospitce of Nashville, 1718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203.

Tom's ashes were scattered at his home in Middle Tennessee, Rocky Face Farm on Callis Road and at his North Carolina home, the Vance Home Place, Plumtree, NC. A description of the North Carolina services follows in an email sent to his classmates of the 1947 Class of Science Hill High School, who held their 55th class reunion, the weekend following Tom's passing. He had planned to attend.

Dear Sara Jane,

Would you please forward this to the Class of '47.

First off, I want to apologize for not letting the class know about the
scattering service we held in Plumtree, NC. I should have posted this
to the class in case any of you wanted to attend. It was a complete
oversight on my part. I did not think of it until we were going through
Johnson City. Please forgive me.

I want to say thank you to all of you for your prayers, love, and
concern. It is an honor to be considered one of you.

We had a beautiful service for Tommy at his home place in Plumtree. Nat
Winston was in the area and he delivered a wonderful eulogy depicting
Tommy as the wonderful person he was. The eulogy was very moving but
even more so was the picking and singing by Doc Winston on "Will the
Circle be Unbroken".

It so happened that Mike Richardson (of Pensacola, FL, a grand opera performer was
visiting with Dr. Winston and he gave a beautiful rendition of "The
Lord's Prayer". Our grandson, Kevin, played "Going Home" on the pipes as
we walked down to the front of the yard to the Toe River for the
scattering. (Tommy had asked for this, saying "I got spanked enough
times for slipping and going swimming in the Toe River, that's where I
want to be. Please take me home, Pat)

While our daughter's husband, Gregg, scattered the ashes and our
grandchildren scattered daisy and black-eyed susan petals, our daughter
Linda sang "I Come to the Garden, Alone". Immediately afterward, our
son, Rodney, played Taps on the trumpet.

Then, we all adjourned to the yard and porch for a wonderful supper
which was accompanied by a Bluegrass band playing good old mountain
music. Tommy's spirit was certainly there and his presence was felt by
all. This was just the kind of service he wanted.

I do apologize again for not letting you all know. There just seemed
to be so much going on and my thinking process was not working as well
as it should. I hope you will let me remain as associate member of the
class.

I will be moving in a week or so and will keep you informed of my
address, etc. The farm will be put on the market as soon as I get
moved. This is what Tommy wanted. He didn't want me living here alone.

Thank you for being my friends,

With love,

Pat