Sharon 'Buddy' Vance

Died: Jan. 12, 2013

Sharon Eugene "Buddy" Vance, 64, of Susong Memorial Road, Greeneville, Tenn., a native of Crossnore, N.C., passed away Saturday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

He was a 1967 graduate of Crossnore High School and began working for Loven Ready-Mix in Pineola right after high school.

He and his wife moved to Greeneville when the Loven family expanded their concrete business into Tennessee and continued working for the business, as it evolved to the current Ready Mix, USA, until his death.

Mr. Vance was of the Baptist tradition of faith.

He was an avid NASCAR fan who also owned and drove a race car on the local circuit in the 1980s and 1990s.

He also enjoyed quality time with his family and his dogs.

Survivors include wife of 43 years: Sharon Gail Vance; one son and daughter-in-law: Brian and Marcy Vance of Bristol; a daughter and son-in-law: Danielle (Vance) and Ron Dressler of Greeneville; two grandsons: Austin Vance and Bryson Vance; four granddaughters: Haleigh Brown, Ashleigh Brown, Rhonda Dressler and Whitney Dressler; his father and stepmother: "Bub" and Rita Vance of Jonesborough; a brother: Bruce Vance of Piney Flats; one sister: Patty (Vance) Knowles of Elk Park, N.C.; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Sammy and Reba Cope of Crossnore and Jimmy and Jama Cope of Greeneville; and several nieces, nephews and extended family members, including close cousins: Joe Pritchard and Gail Polson, both of Crossnore; Sherrie and Van Norris of Boone, N.C.; and Sandra Galloway of Old Fort, N.C., and their families

Buddy was born July 2, 1948, to Sharon Kenneth "Bub" Vance and the late Cora Lee Vance of Crossnore.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Mike Vance and Jerry Vance; stepmother: Mary Agnes Vance; paternal grandparents: Jeter and Blanche S. Vance; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Joe and Ronie Cope; sister-in-law: Joanne Terry; aunts: Jean O'Conner and Mary Pritchard; and a special cousin and friend: Gary Pritchard

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Kiser-

Rose Hill Funeral Home with the funeral service following at 8 p.m. in the chapel. The Rev. Darryl Allen will officiate.

A committal service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in Johnson Cemetery, Crossnore.

There will be a gathering of friends at Crossnore First Baptist Church following the interment.

Pallbearers will be Sammy Cope, Jimmy Cope, Joe Cope, Ron Dressler, Dustin Cope, Brent Cope, Jerry Mercer, and Ben Bishop.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Loven, John Loven, Joe Loven, and his fellow employees of ReadyMix, USA.

The family extends their gratitude to Dr. Joseph Scott and the cardiology staff of Laughlin Memorial Hospital; fifth floor doctors and staff of Vanderbilt University Medical Center; and a very special son, Brian, who was very devoted to his Dad and his racing career.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Condolences may be sent to the Vance family at http://www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com.