Jay Vance

Kernersville – Mr. Jay Legrande Vance, 85, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Hospice of the Piedmont.  He was born in Kernersville on September 26, 1933 to the late Crews and Elsie Smith Vance.   Jay married Doris Elizabeth Joyce in 1953 and they shared 65 years together. He graduated from Kernersville High School in 1952 and attended Guilford College.  He was employed by Western Electric/AT&T for 32 years and retired in 1984.  During this time, he served two years in the Army Signal Corps as a Radar Repairman stationed in Germany. He was a long-time member of Union Grove Baptist Church.

Jay’s great love for horses began as a boy.  Over the years he bred and trained Appaloosas and shared his vast knowledge with family, friends, and the equestrian community.  He enjoyed farming and lived his entire life on the family farm.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, David Jeffrey Vance; brothers, Hervie Vance and Wayne Vance; and sisters, China Landreth, Betty Mae Cain, and Mary Lou Merritt.

Surviving and left to cherish his memory are his wife, Doris Joyce Vance; son, Jeffrey Vance (Laverne), and daughter, Melanie Carroll (Frank); sister, Frances Duggins (Don); and three grandchildren, Dr. Stephen Vance, Wade Carroll, and Olivia Carroll and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 2 pm at Union Grove Baptist Church, Oak Ridge with Rev. Steve Roberson officiating.  Visitation will follow the service in The Arbor.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Land Purchase Fund at Union Grove Baptist Church, 5424 Union Grove Rd., Oak Ridge, NC 27310 or to Hospice of the Piedmont at 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC  27262.