Stuart Vance

Stuart Preston Vance, of Starkville, MS, passed away December 30, 2025, at the age of 94, in Starkville.
Stuart is survived by four children: Alan Vance (Joy) of Orlando, FL; Glenn Stephen Vance of Carrboro, NC; Elisa (Lisa) Knight (Duane) of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Shannon Vance of Montpelier, VT. Stuart is also survived by a sister, Carolyn (Mrs. Ted E. Jones) of Indianapolis, IN, six grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, & numerous nieces and nephews.
Stuart was predeceased by his beloved wife of 47 years, Mikell Edwards Vance; parents, David Hancock Vance, Sr.  and Hattie Crook Vance; a brother, 2nd Lt. David Hancock Vance, Jr., who was killed in action in WWII in Germany, and a granddaughter, Shauna Burton.
Stuart was born in Memphis, TN and attended Memphis City Schools, graduating from Central High School ('48) in Memphis. He graduated from Mississippi State College in 1952 and completed the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School in 1968.
Upon high school graduation, Stuart moved to Starkville, MS, to attend Mississippi State College ('52), majoring in business. He was very active both in and off campus: Student president of the Business School, a student manager of the swimming pool, a swimming scholarship recipient from Coach Dudy Noble, and Mississippi State head cheerleader in 1950. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. During two summers, Stuart sold books and bibles door-to-door in the coal mining areas of Kentucky and the tobacco fields of North Carolina.
After graduation from Mississippi State College, Stuart founded several businesses that employed numerous people. He co-founded Howard Furniture manufacturing Company with his friend Carl "Chick" Howard, which then expanded to become Arnold Industries, employing approximately 1,000 people. While at Arnold Industries, he served as the Executive Vice President and Marketing Director for 22 years, which then included Howard Family Room Furniture , Herschede Hall Clock Company, and Motor Guide electric fishing motors.
In 2015, he donated Herschede Clock model 259, "The Clock", Serial Number 1, to the people of Mississippi. It stands in the Governor's office in the state capitol.
A founding member of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport and board member for 42 years, Stuart helped form the name and the symbol for the airport with MSU President Dean Colvard and Henry Harris. An expansion of the terminal building in 2022 was named in his honor, the "Stuart P. Vance Wing".
He author-published two books: "Aviation in the Golden Triangle", a book about aviation history in the area, and "They Came Our Way: 100 Fantastic Stories-Starkville's Most Interesting People ".
In 1998, Stuart and his wife Mikell opened an Express Personnel franchise. They provided staffing for the manufacture of MRAPS (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles made in West Point, MS, and critical to helping protect soldiers fighting in the Iraq War.
Ever active in business and civic affairs, Stuart loved Rotary and was a past president of Starkville Rotary, as well as District Governor for Rotary District 6820. Along with fellow Rotarians Bill Simmons and Bill Foster, they were instrumental in soliciting donations amounting to $976,000 to provide critical aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina. For this effort, Stuart was the recipient of Rotary International's "Service Above Self Award", Rotary International's highest honor. Stuart was also a Paul Harris Fellow and a major Rotary benefactor. 
Stuart served in numerous boards and committees: Director of the Bass Research Foundation and past president of the Southwest Furniture Manufacturers Association. He was also a member of the "Local Dawgs", the Starkville Quarterback Club, and the Base Community Council at Columbus AFB. 
Stuart was a communicant of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection since 1949.
During his more active years, Stuart enjoyed tennis, physical fitness, hunting, taking a 10-point buck in his first deer hunting trip at the Noxubee Refuge.
He told others he thought "his life had proven complete" when his picture was posted on the wall of Little Dooey's, along with sport's heroes and famous visitors who had dined there.
Burial services will be read at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection on Friday, January 9, beginning with a 9-11am visitation time in the Fellowship Hall, followed by the funeral service itself starting at 11am. A private burial will follow at Oddfellows Cemetery. W
Welch Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
If desired, memorials may be made to: the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Rotary International, or SOAR Community Foundation.
You can leave the family a condolence at: www.welchfuneralhomes.com.