Margaret Woodard Vance

Margaret Allen Woodard Vance, age 91, died Saturday, March 21, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Gordonsville, TN. Mrs. Vance was born on September 18, 1934 in Old Hickory, TN to George and Sadie Harrison Woodard. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as husband James Vance, daughter Elizabeth Vance Emison, brothers Tommy Woodard, Jackie Woodard, and Mike Woodard, sister Mary Woodard Gragiola. She is survived by daughter Yvonne (Roger) Grisham of Gordonsville, Sam (Priscilla) Vance of Murfreesboro, Mark (Lisa) of Ashland City, ten grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. Sisters; Sandra Woodard Washer of Lewisville TX and Wanda Woodard Stallings of Brush Ceek TN. Margaret and James were married June 28, 1952, in Ringgold, Georgia, and had celebrated 58 years of wedlock before he passed on March 11, 2011. Margaret was saved in September 1947 at South Carthage Missionary Baptist Church and remained a faithful member at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church until her death. Ms. Vance relished and enjoyed her Christian life and gladly would relate her testimony. She accompanied James to the mission field in Mexico in the late 1960’s as a faithful and loving companion and helpmate during the three years of service in that field. Daughter Elizabeth was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco during that endeavor. Upon returning from the mission field in 1972, she and James built the house on their Hogan Road property where she lived the rest of her life. Margaret was also an avid and active member of the Dekalb-Smithville Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 372, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Grant Chapter of FCE. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed genealogy research. Ms. Margaret was an expert quilt maker, and many of her handmade samples routinely won top prize at the county fair competition. Mrs. Vance was also employed in public work for many years to help support her family and household and often recalled her time experiences at local shirt factories and industries in Smith County with favorable stories and memories. Margaret was a fantastic cook and passionate homemaker and enjoyed canning and freezing vegetables and fruits from the Vance garden and orchard. She and James traveled extensively in the US after retirement. Funeral services for Mrs. Vance are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 11AM with Bro. Michael Overstreet delivering the eulogy and Bro. Daniel Cook officiating. Interment will follow in the Gordonsville Cemetery. Order of the Eastern Star service will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 6PM. Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Wednesday from 2PM until 7PM and on Thursday from 9AM until service time at 11AM. The family requests memorials be made to the Shriners or the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.

Margaret Woodard Vance

September 18, 1934 - March 21, 2026