By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Tuesday, November 3, State Representative Lesley Vance (R-Phoenix City) has died.
Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) said in a statement, “Today, the citizens of Russell and Lee Counties and the entire state of Alabama lost a great leader in the passing of Representative Lesley Vance. Chairman Vance was a fine man and an effective legislator who nobly fought for his constituents for more than 20 years. Susan and I extend our deepest condolences and prayers to Pat and the entire Vance family as well as the people of the 80th district.”
Alabama House of Representatives spokesman Clay Redden told the Associated Press that Vance died on Tuesday from an extended illness. He was 76.
Vance was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1994. He switched to the Republican Party in 2010.
Montgomery area political consultant Angi Horn Stalnaker said on Facebook, “Rep. Vance was always kind to me. He will be missed.”
Tuscaloosa Young Republicans Chairman Dalton L Dismukes said on Facebook, “The people of Phoenix City lost a very fine man today. Representative Lesley Vance was by far one of the smartest men I ever had the chance to meet. He was a leader and a great representation of our great state. Please keep his family, friends, and Phoenix City in your prayers.”
Representative Lesley Vance was born on October 23, 1939. He attended Mortuary College, and studied advanced business courses. He and his wife, Patricia, are the parents of three children: Leslie, Carmen and Chris. Representative Vance is the Owner and Operator of Vance Memorial Chapel. In addition to serving as Russell County Coroner for 27 years, he has served as a Russell County Commissioner for 2 years.
Vance was the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.
This is the second death to hit the Alabama House this year. Rep. Dan Williams (R-Decatur) passed away in June.
