Bennie Lance

Waynesville, Bennie Mae Noland Lance, age 66, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at her residence. A native of Newport News, Virginia, and lifelong resident of Haywood County. She was the daughter of the late Ben Noland and Vallrie Hicks Noland Rathbone and was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Mark Rathbone; two brothers, Van and Jerry Noland; one sister, Helen Clement; four half brothers, Charles, Homer, Jack, and Howard Noland; and a nephew, Randy Noland. She was employed at Dayco for 29 years, retiring in 1997. Bennie loved her family and enjoyed spending time with all of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed camping, shopping, and canning and was a member of Crabtree Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Ronnie Lance; two daughters, Tracy Leopard and her husband, Dino, and Janna Mehaffey and her husband, Travis, of Waynesville; four sisters, Judy Noland, Laurie Cagle, and Mary Allen, all of Waynesville and Linda Rathbone of Clyde; four brothers, Walter of Mt. Airy, Georgia, John of Milton, Indiana, Jeff Noland of Clyde, and Ben Justice of Asheville; six grandchildren, Rhonda and Nolan Leopard, Katie, Colby, Dylan, and Sarah Mehaffey; two special nieces, Jennifer Rogers and Angie Trantham; as well as several other nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2011 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Billy Ferguson officiating. Burial will follow at Lower Fines Creek Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Allen and Shane Rathbone, Todd and Heath Noland, Josh Trantham, and Andy Green. Honorary pallbearers will be Cody and Caleb Henry, Chris Mehaffey, Kelly Rogers, and Brian and Mark Noland. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior to services at the funeral home.

Previous Events