1940
Nedra
2018
Nedra Vance
February 16, 1940 — December 14, 2018
Nedra Ann Vance, age 78, passed away at her home in Brentwood, Tennessee on December 14, 2018. She was born on February 16, 1940 in Los Angeles, California to Merl and Edna (Lowell) Tufford. She married Floyd Austin Vance on December 6, 1958 after graduating from Dumas High School in Dumas Texas. Together they had 2 children, April Renee Vance and Christopher Floyd Vance. After relocating from Texas to Tennessee in 1962, she graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1970 with a degree in Spanish and English and became a high school Spanish teacher at Hixson High School. She loved to travel and shared her passion with many students as she chaperoned several trips to Mexico and Europe. Nedra had 3 very different careers over her lifetime: first as a teacher, then as a computer programmer after returning to school to study programming, and finally as an entrepreneur and small business owner in Nashville Tennessee for the last 23 years with her children. Nedra is preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Austin Vance; parents, brother Merl Tufford Jr, and brother Arnold Tufford. She is survived by her children and two Grandsons, Robert Austin Vance (11) and Christopher Carson Vance (10). The family will host a visitation and service, Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home 3009 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064. The visitation is from 10am to 11am with the service to follow immediately. There will be no graveside service.
Nedra Vance was about as unique a person as we knew. If you know the Robert Frost poem about taking the road less traveled, well that was Nedra. She and I spoke about this poem often, and I observed that her life was kind of like this poem. At first she said "No. I don't think so," but after I laid out her life to that point, she smiled and said "well, maybe it is."
Born and raised in a very small company town of 3000 people in the panhandle of Texas. The lower panhandle of Texas is a desolate place. The only reason anyone was there was to work for Philips Petroleum, pumping crude oil from the earth. She married the love of her life, had 2 children and stayed in this town until, well, she wanted more from life. So the family moved to Chattanooga Tennessee where she knew not one soul. That was the first time she stepped off the familiar path and took the road less traveled.
After a few years, she wanted more from life, so she decided to become a teacher and entered the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she was literally the oldest person on that campus at age 24. She loved teaching Spanish. She lived it, bathed in it and spent hours with her students. Her Spanish club was the most popular and largest organized club at Hixson High, with maybe the exception of the Hixson High Band. "Bands are always bigger', she would say.
Those knowing her knew she was competitive. She took her students all over the world. Every trip to Mexico and Europe was successful and yet, were firsts for her. That never stopped her because she was fearless. Being fearless together with competitiveness is a potent combination. So she rented some school busses, put us on the bus, and off we went to Mexico. She rode in the front seat to make sure the bus driver would not fall asleep! Taking responsibility for 25 kids in a foreign country where they spoke only a few words? No problem, "Get on the Bus Caren! Get on the bus April! Get on the bus fill in the blank!
Some facebook comments from the Hixson crowd capture her love of teaching.
"I loved Senora Vance" from Janet Arnold Combes
"Lots of high school memories popped in my head and heart" Tammy Puryear
"She was my all-time favorite teacher even after getting 4 degrees! I have used her as an example in my classes many times and in my education courses. She was the most loving and caring teacher ever." Kim Keay-Dickert
"OH I loved her!" Yvonne Carter
"Hers was a life well lived, and that made her a winner when she hit the finish line. It's all any of us can hope for. She was a fine lady" Scott Ourth
Nedra also taught college advanced placement courses at Pflugerville High School in Texas for many years. She loved, loved, loved taking her computer math and computer science students to competitions and winning. Remember, she was competitive. She has awards and was generous with her recognitions. This was the third time she took the road less traveled by moving to Austin Texas to begin teaching in a new school without knowing anyone. She loved Pflugerville.
After Dad passed, Mom continued to teach, but after a while she again wanted something more from life. When I approached her about buying a franchise called Relax The Back she jumped at it. Along with my brother Chris, within 8 months we 3 were signed, sealed and open for business in Nashville Tennessee. Again, a town where she knew no one. This was the 4th road less traveled that she embarked upon and this time, she brought Chris and I with her. Together, we have had 3 stores. All have been challenging, scary and awesome. We have been owners now for 23 years and have many friends in the Relax The Back community.
Comments from other Relax The Back owners:
"I love Nedra so very much, she helped when few would." Linda Godwin - Atlanta
"We have wonderful memories. Hugs from Lubbock" Kathy Waldron - Lubbock
"Nedra is a treasure and will be missed." Barbara Simpson - Austin
"Nedra was a great leader and a good friend. We are better for her wisdom and leadership." Julie Nodland - Naples
"I knew I would enjoy my meal at any convention if there was a chair open at Nedra's table." Patrick Graham - Denver
"Nedra was so helpful from the beginning and she always had a big hug whenever I saw her." Greg Brandt - Atlanta
"Nedra was a special person and was one of the most RTB fervent persons I have ever met!" Chuck Keyser - Miami
Nedra's most recent love is the Vanderbilt Bridge Club. She found great fellowship and made many new friends. The Vanderbilt Bridge Club enriched her life immeasurably. She loved to win. The rest we can forget.
Nedra Vance we love you and miss you. You've touched many lives and leave behind many ripples.
Nedra Vance was about as unique a person as we knew. If you know the Robert Frost poem about taking the road less traveled, well that was Nedra. She and I spoke about this poem often, and I observed that her life was kind of like this poem. At first she said "No. I don't think so," but after I laid out her life to that point, she smiled and said "well, maybe it is."
Born and raised in a very small company town of 3000 people in the panhandle of Texas. The lower panhandle of Texas is a desolate place. The only reason anyone was there was to work for Philips Petroleum, pumping crude oil from the earth. She married the love of her life, had 2 children and stayed in this town until, well, she wanted more from life. So the family moved to Chattanooga Tennessee where she knew not one soul. That was the first time she stepped off the familiar path and took the road less traveled.
After a few years, she wanted more from life, so she decided to become a teacher and entered the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she was literally the oldest person on that campus at age 24. She loved teaching Spanish. She lived it, bathed in it and spent hours with her students. Her Spanish club was the most popular and largest organized club at Hixson High, with maybe the exception of the Hixson High Band. "Bands are always bigger', she would say.
Those knowing her knew she was competitive. She took her students all over the world. Every trip to Mexico and Europe was successful and yet, were firsts for her. That never stopped her because she was fearless. Being fearless together with competitiveness is a potent combination. So she rented some school busses, put us on the bus, and off we went to Mexico. She rode in the front seat to make sure the bus driver would not fall asleep! Taking responsibility for 25 kids in a foreign country where they spoke only a few words? No problem, "Get on the Bus Caren! Get on the bus April! Get on the bus fill in the blank!
Some facebook comments from the Hixson crowd capture her love of teaching.
"I loved Senora Vance" from Janet Arnold Combes
"Lots of high school memories popped in my head and heart" Tammy Puryear
"She was my all-time favorite teacher even after getting 4 degrees! I have used her as an example in my classes many times and in my education courses. She was the most loving and caring teacher ever." Kim Keay-Dickert
"OH I loved her!" Yvonne Carter
"Hers was a life well lived, and that made her a winner when she hit the finish line. It's all any of us can hope for. She was a fine lady" Scott Ourth
Nedra also taught college advanced placement courses at Pflugerville High School in Texas for many years. She loved, loved, loved taking her computer math and computer science students to competitions and winning. Remember, she was competitive. She has awards and was generous with her recognitions. This was the third time she took the road less traveled by moving to Austin Texas to begin teaching in a new school without knowing anyone. She loved Pflugerville.
After Dad passed, Mom continued to teach, but after a while she again wanted something more from life. When I approached her about buying a franchise called Relax The Back she jumped at it. Along with my brother Chris, within 8 months we 3 were signed, sealed and open for business in Nashville Tennessee. Again, a town where she knew no one. This was the 4th road less traveled that she embarked upon and this time, she brought Chris and I with her. Together, we have had 3 stores. All have been challenging, scary and awesome. We have been owners now for 23 years and have many friends in the Relax The Back community.
Comments from other Relax The Back owners:
"I love Nedra so very much, she helped when few would." Linda Godwin - Atlanta
"We have wonderful memories. Hugs from Lubbock" Kathy Waldron - Lubbock
"Nedra is a treasure and will be missed." Barbara Simpson - Austin
"Nedra was a great leader and a good friend. We are better for her wisdom and leadership." Julie Nodland - Naples
"I knew I would enjoy my meal at any convention if there was a chair open at Nedra's table." Patrick Graham - Denver
"Nedra was so helpful from the beginning and she always had a big hug whenever I saw her." Greg Brandt - Atlanta
"Nedra was a special person and was one of the most RTB fervent persons I have ever met!" Chuck Keyser - Miami
Nedra's most recent love is the Vanderbilt Bridge Club. She found great fellowship and made many new friends. The Vanderbilt Bridge Club enriched her life immeasurably. She loved to win. The rest we can forget.
Nedra Vance we love you and miss you. You've touched many lives and leave behind many ripples.
Visitation Details
Thursday, December 20th, 2018 10:00am - 11:00am, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home
Service Information
Thursday, December 20th, 2018 11:00am, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home
Interment Details
Williamson Memorial Gardens
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