Vance was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1994. He switched to the Republican Party in 2010.

He was the owner of Vance Memorial Chapel and served as Russell County coroner for 27 years. He was also a member of the Russell County Commissioner for two years.

House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, issued a statement.

“Today, the citizens of Russell and Lee Counties and the entire state of Alabama lost a great leader in the passing of Representative Lesley Vance,” Hubbard said.

“Chairman Vance was a fine man and an effective legislator who nobly fought for his constituents for more than 20 years.”