Gladys Vance, age 83, of Maryville, TN, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 7, 2022.  Gladys was born on September 26, 1938 to William and Deola Laughlin.  Gladys was a devoted wife and mother as she and her husband, Carl Vance Jr., were stationed in many different states and Puerto Rico while he served in the U.S. Air Force.

Gladys returned to Maryville in 1975.  In 1980 she began working at K-Mart and worked there for 22 years until the store closed.  Not ready for retirement Gladys decided to work at Lowe's for 20 years, retiring only last year!  Her customers loved her, and in 2004 she was recognized as the Lowe's Employee of the Year.  Gladys' favorite spot was always in the garden center.  She cultivated the most beautiful flowers and vegetables and loved canning fruit preserves to be enjoyed by family and friends.

Gladys spent many years square dancing with the Knoxville Volunteer Travelers and loved sharing her stories of roller skating and square dancing with her dear friends.

Along with her parents, Gladys is predeceased by her husband; brothers, David, Russell, Claude and William; sisters, Dorothy Sorrells, Evelyn Bailey and Anna Mae Wilkins.

She is survived by her three children, Charles Vance (Tara), Janice Millsaps (Tim), and Ricky Vance (Robin Myers); grandchildren, Shaun Campbell (Brandy), Bailey Vance, Wyatt Vance and Kody Miller; great-grandchildren, Zachary, Khloe, Emily, Railey and Jackson.  Also surviving Gladys is her sister, Maxine Self, special niece and nephew Debra Duckett and Sam Wilkins, as well as many other nieces and nephews.

Graveside service and interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2022 at Edgewood Cemetery in Knoxville.  Family and friends may call at their convenience from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Monday at Miller Funeral Home in Maryville.