Edward Hudson Vance

Ed was born May 22, 1941, in Nashville, Tennessee, where he lived his entire life. He graduated from Cohn High School in 1961.

Ed married Gayle Dearborn Roberts on November 20, 1979, and together they built a life rooted in family, friends and community.

In 1990, Ed and Gayle co-founded Signature Companies, LLC, a dry-cleaning business, which they managed together for 30 years. Through Signature Cleaners, Ed became an integral part of the Hendersonville community. He supported many local efforts including the annual United Way Winter Care coat drive. He personally ensured all donated coats were cleaned free of charge and ready for those in need.

Ed served in the Tennessee Air National Guard for 20 years and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant. He was a member of the Tennessee Air National Guard Rifle Team, an experience he held with great pride.

Ed held a wide range of interests. His keen sense of curiosity led him to learn the details of most anything that caught his attention.

He was an instinctive cook, both in the kitchen and outside on the grill. He most enjoyed long hours tending to the smoker, long before it was popular. He would always find room for one more at the table, whether family, friend, or stranger.

Ed was intrigued by trains and the history of the railroad. This interest led to a lifelong hobby of building model trains, and to many friendships at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum.

Ed developed a passion for astronomy and was a member of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society. He shared his passion with friends and family through smaller telescopes at home, and with the community through a much larger telescope that he would transport to regional “star parties”. He ultimately donated this larger telescope to the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory, with hopes that his love for the stars would be shared with others.

Above all, Ed loved people. His social nature and genuine, deep-rooted kindness ensured he never met a stranger or missed a good story.

Ed especially loved his time at the lake house on Center Hill Lake, where bluegrass music, a good drink, and family gatherings were common. Nothing made him happier than pulling his children and grandchildren on a tube behind the boat, or in a wagon behind his Cub Cadet tractor.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Edwards Vance and Hazel Gray Stringfellow Vance, and his beloved wife, Gayle Dearborn Vance.

He is survived by his children, Vickie Vance, Sarah Hart (Daniel), and Michael Vance (Michelle); grandchildren, Reese Fowler, Kyndra Fowler, Zack Vance, Carter Vance, Mason Hart, and Robert Hart; his brother, Hugh Franklin Vance (Ruth); and his sister-in-law, Virginia Mason Dearborn.

Due to recent weather events, a visitation and funeral service will now be held at Abe’s Garden Community (Independent/Assisted Living Entrance, 115 Woodmont Boulevard, Nashville TN 37205) on Friday, February 6, 2026. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm followed by the service at 2:00 pm.

Parking at Abe’s Garden Community is very limited. Please save onsite parking for those with limited mobility. There will be a continuous shuttle service between the parking lot BEHIND Flower Mart (4503 Harding Pike, Nashville TN 37205) and the entrance to Abe’s Garden Community.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:

Abe’s Garden Community (115 Woodmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37205, www.abesgarden.org)

St. George’s Episcopal Church (4715 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205, www.stgeorgesnashville.org)