Buddy Vance died peacefully at home on Sunday, October 20, 2024. He was born October 11, 1954.
James Edmond Vance was born in West Point, Mississippi to Allie Laura Stevens Vance and James O’Neil Vance. He attended West Point High School where he excelled in athletics; especially baseball.
He was the starting pitcher on the West Point High 1972 Championship Baseball Team, winning the District 1 and Little Ten Championships. He was awarded All Little Ten that year along with six other teammates. He was also named to the Little Ten all Conference in Football and was quarterback on the 1971 West Point High School Championship Football Team.
After graduating High School in 1972, he attended The University of Mississippi where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. In 1976, he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Ole Miss. He returned and added an accounting degree in 1979. After attaining a degree in accounting, he went to work for Coopers and Lybrand in Memphis, a “Big 8” accounting firm at the time. Buddy loved college sports and was an avid and lifelong Ole Miss sports supporter and fan.
On October 13, 1979, he married Mary Victoria “Vicky” Dinkins of Jackson. Buddy and Vicky moved to Jackson to be closer to family in 1980 where he worked for DeMiller, Denny, Word & Co. before moving to West Point to work with Watkins, Ward, & Stafford, PLLC. In 1985 Buddy moved his Family to Tupelo with an opportunity to open an office for Watkins, Ward, & Stafford, PLLC. In 1986 Buddy and Don Carlisle bought the iconic Jefferson Place, owning jointly until 1990. In 1990, Watkins, Ward, & Stafford, PLLC decided to close their Tupelo office. In that moment, with the support of many; Buddy decided to establish J. E. Vance & Company, PA where he continued to build a lasting legacy in the accounting profession. He was Principal and Managing Partner until his death. Over the years he, his partners, and dedicated staff provided tax, audit, and advisory services to a growing number of clients.
Buddy has been a faithful and active member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church since 1985; he has served many years as an usher. He is a member of Rotary Club of Tupelo and has been honored with receiving the Paul Harris Fellow.
Buddy is survived by his wife of 45 years; daughter, Allie Vance West (Chad); son, Miller Stevens Vance (Lindsey); grandchildren, Collins Thomas West, Edmond Hamilton West, Mary Rimes Vance, and Fountain James Vance; and sister, Edith Vance Carlisle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George Thompson Vance; and sister, Margaret O’Neil Vance Naugle.
A celebration of his life will be 11 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2024, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 608 W Jefferson Street, Tupelo, MS 38804, with visitation in the Parish Hall from 9 a.m. until service time. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to All Saints’ Episcopal Church Building Fund or Sanctuary Home Hospice.
