Lance B. Bracy, age 90, of Joelton, passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
For over three decades, he served as a pillar of integrity for the Tennessee legal system, beginning his career with the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Responsibility as Disciplinary Counsel in 1976. Recognizing his exceptional judgment, the Board appointed him Chief Disciplinary Counsel in 1979, a leadership role he held with distinction until his retirement in 2007. During his tenure, he became a foundational figure in shaping legal ethics across the state by assisting the Board in drafting and publishing more than 140 Formal Ethics Opinions, issuing 600 Advisory Ethics Opinions, and personally responding to more than 12,000 Informal Ethics Inquiries from attorneys seeking vital ethical guidance. Prior to his transformative work with the Board, he spent eleven years in private law practice in Springfield, Tennessee, and served the public as the Assistant District Attorney General for Robertson and Sumner Counties.
An avid educator committed to elevating the standards of the bar, he shared his deep expertise as an adjunct Professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Law from 1993 to 1994 and frequently lectured at numerous continuing legal education programs focused on Professional Responsibility. His leadership was widely recognized by his peers through his selection as a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Association, as well as his active memberships in the Tennessee Bar Association, the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, and the National Organization of Bar Counsel. He laid the groundwork for his distinguished career at the University of Tennessee, where he earned his undergraduate education, and at the Nashville School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor degree.
Following his retirement from law practice in 2007, he seamlessly transitioned from shaping legal codes to shaping iron, becoming the resident blacksmith at Elm Tree Forge in Joelton, Tennessee. He transformed his retirement into an acclaimed second career as an ornamental blacksmith, immersing himself in the craft and keeping centuries-old traditions alive. He forged deep friendships within the community through active memberships in several prestigious artisanal organizations, including the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA), the British Artist Blacksmith Association (BABA), the Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths (AACB), Bell Witch Forge, and Possum Trot Forge. Whether mentoring a young lawyer on ethical standards or teaching an apprentice how to strike hot iron at the anvil, he approached life with patience, precision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, and he will be deeply missed by his family, his colleagues in the judiciary, and his fellow makers at the forge.
Lance is preceded in death by his parents Verner Clifton and Mildred Bracy; his wife Patricia Dyer Bracy; and brother Rex Bracy.
Survivors include his son Bruce (Sayumporn “Pam”) Bracy; grandson Aiden Bracy; brothers Mark (Sharon) Bracy, George (Wanda) Bracy; sister Sammye (Charles) Boehms; companion Glenda Chapman; and many other beloved family members.
A Memorial Service will be held in his honor on Saturday, June 6th at 1 P.M. with Pastor Patrick Williams officiating. Visitation with the family will take place from 10 A.M. until the time of Service at 1 P.M. https://www.andersonandgarrett.com
Burial will follow at Oakwood United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Onsite florist 615-448-7611
For more obituaries, visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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