Sharon Eugene "Buddy" Vance

Sharon Eugene “Buddy” Vance, 64, of Susong Memorial Road, Greeneville, Tennessee, a native of Crossnore, North Carolina, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2013, 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 1980’s and 1990’s. He also enjoyed quality time with his family and his dogs.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years: Sharon Gail Vance; one son and daughter-in-law: Brian and Marcy Vance of Bristol, Tenn.; 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; 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 of Crossnore, Sherrie and Van Norris of Boone, Sandra Galloway of Old Fort, 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 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.

Following the visitation, a funeral service will be held at 8:00 p.m. in the Kiser-Rose Hill Chapel with Rev. Darryl Allen officiating.

Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, at Johnson Cemetery in Crossnore, North Carolina.

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 a gratitude to Dr. Joseph Scott and the cardiology staff of Laughlin Memorial Hospital; 5th 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, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692; or the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311.