Samuel Lester Vance, 82, of Charlotte, N.C. died June 3, 2023 at Sunrise on Providence. Born in 1940 to missionary parents in Tsingtao, China, Mr. Vance grew up in Madison County, North Carolina. He was a 1958 graduate of Mars Hill High School, a 1962 graduate of Mercer University, and an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, where he was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.
Mr. Vance retired from Aetna Life and Casualty after 24 years of service as a Personal Lines Unit Manager. In retirement, he worked at KBD Services and Fashion Flowers in Charlotte. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church for many years, where he served as a Deacon, Interim Adult Choir Director and in many other capacities.
Mr. Vance loved to sing and was a devoted member of the Grace Baptist Church choir. He also sang tenor in the Charlotte Music Club’s annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah”.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Shelby William and Frances Hudson Vance, and his brothers John S. Vance and Richard H. Vance.
He is survived by former spouse Carol Keller Hodges and their children Stephen Vance and wife Kathryn (Kitty) of Fort Mill, S.C., Lisa Vance of Pineola N.C. and Jason Vance and wife Aimee of Rock Hill, S.C. Grandchildren Lauren Mauney, Jacob Keener and wife Kayla, Lore Auten, Hayden, Miles, and Sadie Vance.
Mr. Vance is also survived by his brother Bob Vance and wife Brenda of Holly Springs, N.C. and several nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank Sunrise on Providence and Hospice of Charlotte for their support, attentiveness, and compassionate care.
A visitation will be held at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, Rock Hill, S.C. on Monday, June 19, at 1:00 p.m., to be followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be on Tuesday, June 20 at 1:00 p.m. at Cuthbertson Cemetery, Crossnore, N.C.
Memorials may be made to the Southern Baptist International Mission Board and Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region.