News

Fellow Highway Patrol troopers to honor Lee Lance

By Bill Moss, Published: March 31, 2020

State Highway Patrol troopers and other law officers are expected to caravan to Mills River Presbyterian Church Cemetery on Thursday for the funeral of Lee Jenkins Lance, 95, a Mills River native who served in the Highway Patrol for almost four decades.

Lance, who was retired in Bogart, Georgia, died on Friday. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Della Brittain Lance; brother, Donald Lance; sister, Catherine Lance Phillips and daughter, Sandra Lance Winkler. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue Powell Lance of Bogart; his son, Charles Alan (Chris); his grandsons, Lee Joseph Lance (Rebecca), Tony Lance, Lance Winkler; his granddaughter, Jaime Lance Arnett (Mark); four great-grandchildren; sister, Faye Lance Edney and nieces and nephews.

Lance loved the Lord and his Calvary Baptist Church Fellowship and dedicated his life to his family, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and his friends. He was an avid golfer and had quite the gift for landscaping and yardwork.

Born August 18, 1924, Lance graduated from Mills River High School in 1942, then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was discharged in 1946. He served 37 years in the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in many capacities. He worked throughout the state from Murphy to Manteo and served his last 10 years at Highway Patrol headquarters in Raleigh, retiring as a major. He loved the State Highway Patrol and dedicated himself to promoting highway safety and community relations. He was known to his patrol family for the leadership he provided and developing the people with whom he worked. After retiring in 1983, he continued to stay young by being busy and active throughout his 37 years of retirement.

The graveside service will be held at Mills River Presbyterian Church Cemetery at 1 p.m. Thursday with Dr. Ronnie Healan and the Rev. Matt Dibler of Calvary Baptist Church of Statham, Georgia, officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of memorial contributions to Calvary Baptist Church, 1975 Highway 82, Statham, Georgia 30666. Lord & Stephens, West, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements.