Viola Jeanette Dance, 83, of Greensburg, passed away, surrounded by her children on December 30. Jeanette was born on October 30, 1936 in Knoxville, TN, the daughter of Henry and Nettie (Whitson) Heath. On December 27, 1958 she married Hazen Dance in Maryville, TN. He preceded her in death on February 9, 1979.
Jeanette, known to all as “Mama Dance”, was the biggest cheerleader at her family’s sporting events. She traveled extensively, most enjoying time spent with her loved ones. Jeanette worked for Federal Mogul NTN/BCA for more than 30 years and was a long-time member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. She served as a member of the American Baptist Women Mission Group where she served others with love and compassion.
She is survived by her seven children – Pamela (John) Steeves, Bud Dance, Donna (Dave) Vanderbur, Jewel Johnson, Victor (Janet) Dance, Catherine Wells, all of Greensburg, and Ginger (Todd) Conwell of Hartsville; One stepdaughter, Connie Disney of Knoxville, TN; four sisters – Mary (Robert) White, Mildred McCarley, Wanda Jeffers and Frankie Steinkamp; 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren whom she adored. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, stepdaughters Jeanie Bledsoe and Sally Dance one sister, Barbara Crewsonberry and three brothers Billy, Floyd and Wilford Heath.
There will be visitation from 4-6:30pm with funeral service to follow at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Adams on Thursday January 2nd. Burial will be at Clapps Chapel Cemetery in Corryton, TN. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com.