E. Clay Lance
June 13, 1917 ~ March 13, 2005
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
E. Clay Lance, 87, of Candler, died Sunday, March 13, 2005, of complications following surgery in Memorial Mission Hospital.
Clay was a son of the late A.P. and Addie Cannon Lance of Biltmore and was a lifelong resident of Biltmore and Candler. He retired in 1983 from American Enka after 46 years service. He attended Liberty Baptist Church where he was a member for 62 years.
Mr. Lance was active in community affairs and was instrumental in the construction of the original Enka High School football stadium.
He will be remembered for the sparkle in his eyes and the joy he brought to his many friends and family.
Clay is survived by Mary, his wife of 66 years; a son Jerry Lance and his wife Betty Jean of Charlotte; three grandchildren Denise Bordeaux and her husband John of Delco, NC, Paul Lance of Charlotte, and Brad Lance and his wife Ashley of Charlotte; three great-grandchildren, Clay, Casey and Cori Bordeaux of Delco, NC; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to mention.
A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Pastor Gene King of Liberty Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Churchyard, Fletcher.
His family will receive friends from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Liberty Baptist Church, 875 Monte Vista Road, Candler, NC 28715.
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MARY AND FAMILY. OUR PRAYERS AND LOVE ARE WITH YOU. CLAY ALWAYS MADE US SMILE AND WE ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO OUR HUGS WE GOT FROM HIM. WE WILL HOLD HIS MEMORIES IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER. WE LOVE YOU. JANICE LYNN, CHARLIE AND ANDREW FARMER
to MARY AND FAMILY. WE HAVE ALWAYS LOVED CLAY AND WILL MISS HIM VERY MUCH. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. WE LOVE YOU. HILDA, JOYCE AND SONYA AND BAYLEE YOUNG
Mary,
You and Clay have always seemed like a third set of grandparents to me and Lisa and we love you so much. I’ll remember Clay always for the special person he was ‘? with his ever-present spunk, his stories that always brought smiles and laughter, and his heart of gold that held so much love for his family and friends. I know right now if I could make a toast to him with a 7-Up float like he always made for us growing up, he would be smiling from ear to ear. Love and prayers to you and your family.
Dear Mary,
Our deepest sympathies and love to you and your family. I remember the last time we were all together at Carolyn & Bill’s RV home, while they were visiting in Asheville. We had an old fashion bar-b-que and picnic lunch.
I am so grateful, that I had that last chance to see both you and Clay together, and all of us sharing the good old times when I was a kid. God Bless you and your family. We will keep you in our hearts and prayers during these sad days ahead.
Love,
Betty and Ron
and Family
Mary,Our prayers go out to you and your family.As i remember Clay he was a light in my eyes,a second dad to me growing up. taking me and Neicee to the park or down to the creek to play and then cooking hot dogs and then ice cream floats. He always made time to include me when she came to visit.All will miss him but we will remember what a very special man he was to a lot of people.All that knew him were blessed.
Dearest Jerry and BJ, We are so sorry and wish that we could be with you on Wednesday, but cannot. Our hearts and our love will be there with your family. I hope that we can get together when you are back home and things settle down. Much love, Eva Ann
You are in our thoughts & prayers at this time. Love, your friends at Mike’s Heating & Cooling
Pops will be missed. Though I didn’t know him very well, his family is a testament to his life.
May your memories of Pops bring you peace in the coming days.
Mary and family, I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Clay’s passing; sorry for us that are left behind. You both always meant so much to me at Liberty, even after I grew up and left there. I am privileged to have known Mr. Clay. Our prayers are with you at this time. I know Daddy would come if he could but since he’s at Pisgah Manor I don’t guess he’ll get to be there. Much love to you and yours, Deana Davidson Warren
Mary,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I will never forget driving right into Clay’s garden and the only thing he care about was if everyone was ok. He was a wonderful person.
Love,
Shane, Amy and Tucker
We are so sorry for your loss.
When sorrow comes,
You’re not alone
For God is always there
To strengthen and watch over you
And keep you in
His care,
And in His loving way he’ll ease the grief
That’s yours today
And give you comfort always
As you continue along life’s way.
We send our love and deepest sympathy.
Dear Jerry and Betty Jean,
My thoughts,prayers and deepest
sympathy are with you and your
family at this time of great sorrow.May God’s Blessing help lessen your pain.With love to you both.
Wanda Brown
Betty and I express our sincere
sympathy. Many fond memories come
to mind when I think of the years at
Liberty and the years since. ‘I thank God upon every remembrance of
you’ Phil 1:3
I considered Clay a very special
friend and dependable member of our
church with a loving wife at his side. Jerry must have a wonderful
family. I know you are proud of them
all. Our prayers are with you.
Sincerely in Christ. Frank
Ms. Lance, Jerry & Brad ~ I was so incredibly sorry to hear of Pop’s passing. Ms. Lance – I’ll never forget the best breakfast of my life with you and Pops. You both welcomed us with the most open arms and it felt like I was with my own grandparents that morning. Brad is so lucky to have had such a wonderful grandfather and I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to know such a sweet man. My prayers will be with you and your family during this time.
Clay was a wonderful man and will be dearly missed. Mary and the rest of the family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Warner and Elizabeth Smith
Jerry, BJ, and Mrs. Lance,
I send my condolences to you in your loss of Clay–father, father-in-law, and husband. You each have so many memories of the good times you had with him and your family. May he rest in peace and may God bless each one of you.
Mayme Roberson Crowell
We loved Uncle Clay and are so sorry for your loss.
Love,
Bryan and Lori
I am sorry about Clay’s death and I am thinking and praying for you.
Due to illness I will not be able to attend the funeral but will be there in spirit.
With Love,
Bill Conner
Dear Jerry and family, so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. God bless you all.
Kathy Petrucelli
MARY,
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT CLAY. HE WAS A GREAT PERSON AND ALWAYS PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE WHEN I SAW HIM. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME. I KNOW THIS IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU BUT THE LORD WILL HELP YOU THROUGH IT. MY LOVE TO YOU AND FOREVER WITH CLAY.
LOVE ALWAYS,
KATE SPAIN
PROFFITT’S
Dear Mary,
We will certainly miss Clay very much. He was truly a wonderful man who always thought of others first rarely thinking of himself. The two of you were like an extra set of Grandparents helping to raise me and shape me into the person that I have become. I will always remember his humor, kindness, and those memorable 7-up floats he would make me and Sheri when he used to get us off the school bus when Mom wasn’t home. I too will always remember how much he loved and adored Mary – I don’t think anyone could have loved and cherished their spouse more than he did. I could only hope to mirror Clay within my own marriage. We will truly miss this wonderful man.