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Ernest Vandiver Obituary
ATLANTA (AP) - Former Gov. S. Ernest Vandiver, who won office vowing that "no, not one" black child would integrate a Georgia classroom, but went on to preside over peaceful desegregation, has died at age 86.
He died Monday evening, the family said Tuesday through Gov. Sonny Perdue's office.
Governor from 1959 to 1963, Vandiver ha d been elected on an anti-integration platform but at a critical moment persuaded lawmakers to repeal a law requiring schools to be closed rather than desegregated.
His stand was credited with sparing the state the turbulence that swept much of the rest of the South in that period, but at the timeit cost him political support. He left office in 1963 when his four-year term ended, and said later that keeping the schools open was "my political suicide."
His "no, not one" phrase had been devised by Vandiver's strategists to counter criticism from pro-segregation voters after he had said integration of Georgia's schools should "evolve."
Vandiver quickly found himself facing a series of federal court rulings that forced the integration first of Atlanta public schools and then of the University of Georgia. On the books was a 1955 statute that required state funds to be cut off to any segregated college or school that admitted a black student.
Vandiver appointed Atlanta banker John Sibley to head a commission that eventually recommended that voters in each district be allowed to determine whether their schools would remain open.
Days after the courts ordered the desegregation of the University of Georgia in 1961, Vandiver called a special nighttime session of the Legislature and persuaded lawmakers to repeal the 1955 antidesegregation law and adopt the Sibley Commission's recommendation.
The commission had had the intended effect of providing a cooling-off period. Former Gov. Roy Barnes said Vandiver's actions made him one of the state's unsung heroes.
"His decision in the early 1960s to keep the University of Georgia open - when overwhelming public sentiment was to close it because of integration - was an act of courage. And it set the stage for Georgia's reputation as a progressive state," Barnes said Tuesday.
Vandiver ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 1972, and he blamed his defeat on the ' 'No, not one'' statement of 14 years earlier.
"When I ran for governor, I made some intemperate remarks," Vandiver said in 2001 at a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the University of Georgia's integration. "They shouldn't have been made."
Vandiver also was governor when the federal courts ordered the state to abandon its "county unit" system of voting, which had enabled rural politicians to control the state for decades. Under the system, votes for governor and other statewide officers were cast based on who had won a majority in each county, much as the Electoral College selects the U.S. presidents.
After leaving the governor's office, Vandiver served as chairman of a Lavonia bank and farmed cattle.
Memories and Condolences
for Ernest Vandiver
63 Entries
martha hubbard smith
February 28, 2005
Dear Gov. Vandiver Family
Mr. "Chip" Vandiver Re.late
Governor Ernest Vandiver.
I met the Governor's son Chip
when he graciously did some legal
matters for my precious late Father
Clyde Hubbard.
My Mom Mattie Elrod Hubbard and
my Father Clyde Hubbard moved from
Atlanta to Lavonia in 1987 and was
proud to be neighbors/close-by the
Vandivers. They admired them very
much. I admired Gov. Vandiver as well.I am proud
of the compassion of Gov. Vandiver.IWanted Chip and family to know how
much I offer to them my condolences.
I surely do miss my Mom and Dad
who are now both in Heaven. Dad
had cancer and Mom suffered from
Alzheimers Disease for 10 yrs.
Much love and prayers to all of you who are a part of the Vandiver Family.
I Thank God upon every rememberance of you.
I was a chaplain Resident at Emory
several years in helping with
grief, but it is never easy
and prayer is the best gift at this time and remembering our
loved one.
to be absent from the body is to
be present with the Lord.
Sincerely,
Martha Hubbard Smith (Rev.)
great to be back in Ga.
from living in Fl. for 9 yrs
Reyno B. Petree
February 25, 2005
I grew up in Winder, a friend of the Governor's Russell nieces and nephews. Several years ago I visited my friend, Judy Russell Dodd, on St. Simons Island.
On the evening I visited, Judy was also entertaining Governor and Mrs. Vandiver (Aunt Betty and Uncle Ernie). The Governor took us all to dinner (I believe, at the Plantation Supper Club) and regaled us with stories of his career in state politics. In particular, I remember Mr. Vandiver telling of the time, while he was Governor, when David O. Selznick (producer of "Gone with the Wind"), came to Georgia and wanted to go to Sea Island. We had a wonderful evening, and a free history lesson, all in one. I have always remembered that evening fondly, and I offer my sincere condolences to the entire family. Reyno Petree
Yvonne McConnell
February 25, 2005
My thoughts and prayers are with the Vandiver family in your time of grief. May God bless your family. I appreciate people who are willing to serve our country in any capacity.
alberta thomas owens
February 24, 2005
rest in pease gov.vandiver,and bless the family.he was a wonderful friendly man,i last saw him yrs ago at the thomas reunion.im the grand daughter of jimmy@pearl thomas
Jean Owens
February 24, 2005
I sincerely appreciate Gov. Vandiver and all he did for our county.
My thoughts and prayers are with all the family during this time of sorrow.
Frances Vandiver Puckett
February 24, 2005
Condolences to the family in the loss of a great man. As Governor, he made me proud to be a Vandiver.
Pamela Stephenson
February 24, 2005
My family's prayers our with your family in your time of loss. Governor Vandiver was a great man and is death is a loss for our state.
Pam Stephenson
Barry, Carole, and Adam Thornton
February 24, 2005
The Thornton family has been deeply blessed by having Gov. Ernest Vandiver, Jr. in our lives. His smile was a welcome sight, whether it was at the ballfield watching Russell or at church in worship. He always had time to speak and offer a word of encouragement. Our sincere prayers go out to the Vandiver family. We have fond memories of Gov. Vandiver that we will always cherish.
Rev. Bo Turner
February 24, 2005
Growing up in the 1940's in Eastanollee, Georgia, I became aware of my good neighbor from Lavonia. Ernest was a great governor and an even greater person. He will be sorely missed by those who knew him and loved him. He had the courage to do the right things as governor when others were timid and afraid to do so. May God bless and keep him now and forevermore.
Ryan Purvis
February 23, 2005
My grandmother, Nell Purvis, was appointed Lt. Aide de Camp to Gov. Vandiver during his term in office and she worked tirelessly to help get him elected. Some time there after she was asked as to why she supported him, she replied that "He was a perfect gentleman and a model citizen for us all." Mrs. Vandiver I never knew of your husband, but my grandmother was a tough customer to please and she always held him in the highest regard. That in itself in my opinion is a testament to the kind of person he must have been. My heart goes out to you and your family and I wish you nothing but the best.
Clydie & Phil Jordan
February 23, 2005
Governor Vandiver was the right man at the right time for the future of Georgia. Leadership like his has made us the great state that we are.
Our sympathy goes to Mrs. Vandiver and her family.
Mr. & Mrs. John B. Wells III
February 23, 2005
We will always remember Gov. Vandiver a fine Southern gentleman who represented his beloved Peach State with honor and pride. We will miss him.
Judith Wilson, PhD
February 23, 2005
Governor Vandiver, I just read of your passing and wanted to write you, Mrs. Vandiver, Beth and Jane a second thank you note many years late. Historians remember you for desegregating UGA, for doing your friend John Kennedy a favor in getting Rev. Martin Luther King out prison for parole violation stemmed from a non-dismissed DeKalb Co. traffic ticket, for cutting states expenses 10% across the board, and for losing third to my hometown friend Sam Nunn for your late uncle-in-law Richard Russell’s Senate seat. However, as a young Perry sixth grade girl, my memories are much more personal.
On an upcoming visit to see my aunt, uncle & cousin (Lois, Frank & Ann Wooten [Savannah], my aunt asked me what I wanted to do while in Atlanta. I replied. “ I want to meet the Governor.” How excited I was to learn you had agreed to fulfill my wish. The afternoon my aunt, cousin and I visited your family in the beautiful Ansley Park Governor’s Mansion was a day I shall never forget. You treated me as if I was a distinguished diplomat. You were such a gentleman to sit and listen patiently while I played the piano, and you talked and listened to me as if I was the most important person in the world that afternoon...and I certainly felt very special. Beth and Jane had just returned from camp, and while wearing their bathing suits took Ann and I on a tour of the upstairs bedrooms. I was very disappointed Chip was not at home for he was a very attractive young lad and many Georgia girls had a slight crush on him from afar.
Our visit brought politics into my small Middle Georgia world, and later through the years as an Atlanta young lady, I volunteered in several campaigns--Nunn (Senate), Busbee (Governor) & Carter (President)...all good Middle & South Georgia men ...and my first mortgage was on an Ansley Park home. No one could have been sadder the day “in the name of progress” the beautiful stone mansion was torn down. Oftentimes, I wonder if aggressive developers haven’t done as much damage to Atlanta’s spirit as that Yankee on his trip to Savannah.
When I read online today you were lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda and saw your portrait above your coffin with the yellow roses in the beautiful wreath, so much emotion overcame me remembering back that wonderful summer afternoon. You were always my favorite politician because as a true Southern Gentle Man, you took time out of your busy schedule to spend the afternoon with a small-town girl who had no idea your political views. In my eyes, you could do no wrong. I trust I wrote you and your family a thank you note after my visit, but here’s another one 45 years later.
May your spirit always travel on the wings of angels...and how about you, "Uncle Dick" and George whispering to Sam in his dreams that we need him to lead this country before it’s too late. Maybe Sam could do as much for the USA as you did for our Georgia. Blessings to Mrs. Vandiver, Chip, Beth, Jane and their families. You will always be in our hearts.
Ward & Billie Edwards
February 23, 2005
Billie and I had the honor and privledge of knowing Governor Vandiver and Betty...We visited them at the Old Governor's Mansion on the Prado. At that time, his children were young and Betty was so charming, and a visit with them was so very special. Just this year
I became re-acquainted with Jane, his daughter, and she has kept me apprised of his condition.
We knew Governor Vandiver both personally and politically, and he was quite a Statesman. The State of Georgia was indeed fortunate to have been served by him, and its citizens will forever benefit from his accomplishments....
Doug Embry
February 23, 2005
It was my privilege to spend many years with this great man who hired me in 1949 as information officer and editor of the Georgia Guardsman magazine for the Georgia Department of Defense. His honesty and integrity was crystal clear to all who served with him in the National Guard. His leadership brought him many honors. Betty and his children have my deepest sympathy in their loss. There should be a statue or bust of
Governor Vandiver at the State Capitol for his historic contributions.
Jim Langford
February 23, 2005
Betty, Jane, and family,
Barbara and I and the Langford family are saddened by the passing of the Governor. We all, especially my father and Barbara'a father, admired Ernie a great deal. We hope you are comforted by his great work and the inspiration that he was to so many - including me. All best and sincere wishes to you all.
Jim and Barbara Langford (and Edna)
Elizabeth & Henry Jennings
February 23, 2005
Dear Betty, We are deeply saddened by Ernie's death and pray for God to surround you and your family with His love and comfort.
Love,
Elizabeth & Henry Jennings
Jason and April Roberts
February 23, 2005
May the memory of Ernest Vandiver live for many years and bring thoughts of comfort to his family and friends.
Harris Little
February 23, 2005
I,along with the City Council of Carnesville GA., wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Mrs. Vandiver and the Vandiver family. The impact of Gov. Vandiver's leadership continues to be felt all along the I-85 corridor of Northeast Georgia. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Michele MacLeod
February 23, 2005
It was an honor and a pleasure to be part of your healthcare team. I will greatly miss those twinkling eyes and our discussions about the Braves! My thoughts and prayers are with you, Mrs. Vandiver, and with the whole family.
Alice & Walter Rylander
February 23, 2005
We extend our condolances to Betty and family in the loss of our friend of over 60 years. With love from Alice & Walter.
Sue Howell
February 23, 2005
Gov. Vandiver: A job well done; a life well done.
Russ Fortson
February 23, 2005
My deepest sympathies are with the Vandiver family. My family and I always thought highly of Gov. Vandiver and his family. I'm glad to see that he is (rightly) remembered as a good governor and gentleman.
Mary Cobb
February 23, 2005
Governor Vandiver did many good things for this great state of Georgia. My prayers are with his family.
Cyndee Phillips
February 23, 2005
Governor Vandiver and his family have been a vital part of Franklin County. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children and grandchildren at this time.
James Clay
February 23, 2005
A great Georgian has passed on to Heaven. I only wish we had more government officials with his character and spirit. This would be a better state and nation. I hope our leaders will take a lesson from his life of service. God Bless You All.
Martha T. Springer
February 23, 2005
I have fond memories of the friendship of my parents Martha and Sam Tate with Betty and Ernie.Ernie was a kind and wonderful man who will be missed!On behalf of my parents who are now gone and my sisters Miriam and Grace, we send our love and prayers to Betty,Chip,Beth and Jane and their families.
Stan Darnell
February 23, 2005
Governor Vandiver was a great friend of Rabun County and the Darnell Family. You were always considered one of our own. Thankyou, for all you did for Rabun County and The State of Georgia. May God bless and be with you and your family
Joann and Tom Watson
February 23, 2005
Ernie Vandiver was one of the great leaders of this time and of all time.
He had a kind and gentle manner, and a demeanor that characterized his grand spirit of morality, righteousness, and integrity.
This is a better world because of his having been a part of it.
Daphne Farmer
February 23, 2005
I will keep your family is in my thoughts and prayers. May God Bless You!
William Jones
February 23, 2005
Our prayers go out to this wonderful family. My Dad served in the State Senate under Governor Vandiver and had the privilege to serve as appropriation chairman for this true southern gentleman. We have all lost a great friend and a wonderful public servant.
Ruth & John Skelton
February 23, 2005
So sorry to hear the news from Lavonia. He will be remembered and respected by his fellow Georgians for many years to come.
Jay Baskins
February 23, 2005
I first got to know you at my father's gas station in Lavonia. I have learned over the years that you were a great governor. One of the biggest reasons I-85 came through Lavonia is because of you. Thanks. It has given me many great memories since my father started his business on the exit in Lavonia.
Eleanor Lee
February 23, 2005
Thank you for having the courage to stand for the rights of all Georgia's citizens to an equal education. It must have taken prayer and thoughtful reflection to revise one's own thinking and do "the right thing"You set the ethical standard for the future leadrers of our state.
Lane Gailey
February 23, 2005
May God bless your family in the days ahead. Thank you for being such a dedicated servant to the citizens of Georgia and your community. We have been blessed to have a leader with such character, dignity, and grace. May you rest in peace.
Leonard Felton
February 23, 2005
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Mrs. Vandiver. My wife and I enjoyed knowing and working with you and the Governor on the Trustee Board of The Little White House. May you find comfort in knowing that God loves us all and he is sovereign.
Jerry W. King
February 23, 2005
You family is in our thoughts and prayers. I remeber Gov. Vandiver speaking to my class as a student. His and his family's service is apprectiated.
Valena Jenkins
February 23, 2005
Thinking of you.
Joni Fulbright
February 23, 2005
My prayers continue to be with the Vandiver family. Mr. Vandiver will always live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He was a wonderful person and I count myself fortunate to have known him.
Michael Horsey
February 23, 2005
I had the pleasure to serve as the governor's page in the Georgia Senate while Mr. Vandiver served as Lieutenant Governor. He always treated me with courtesy and enthusiastically took time to instruct me about the finer points of government. He was a great gift to the State of Georgia.
Captain Robert Park
February 23, 2005
I was privileged to live in the Lavonia, GA area for a number of years where Chip and Michelle Vandiver became my close friends and I met Governor Vandiver who welcomed me into his home and made me feel like part of the family. It was an honor to have known this personification of a true "southern gentleman". Marjorie and my prayers go out to thr entire Vandiver family.
Robert and Marjorie Park
Rollo & Sylvia Walker
February 23, 2005
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Thank you for many years of friendship and inspiration.
Jeff Davis
February 23, 2005
Sincere condolences to the Vandiver family from an old friend from Talmadge, Griffin and Vandiver campaigns as well
as a fond relationship in the
Georgia National Guard.
The beginnings of the campaign for Lt. Governor started in my
office in Atlanta until a permanent headquarters was establshed.
We became adversaries in 1960 when I determined to join Richard Nixon as his Georgia campaign chairman while Ernie served as titular head of the Democratic party and we each served our goals with great fervor and a verbal battle between two friends who really
never lost respect for our friendship.
My view remains holding Ernie as
our most courageous governor.
Georgians today owe a great debt
of gratitude for the vision of the future opportunity that has
come to be as a result of his sacrifice to the duty he so well
served.
Duke Ellington-Kapoi
February 23, 2005
Governor Vandiver You had courage to go against the grain and stand up to people who thought they knew better and because of you the early 1960's were not near as turbulent for Georgia as they were for Alabama and Mississippi!You will be sorely missed by all you served and especially me because You were truely a man to look up too!
mark adams
February 22, 2005
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Mark Adams
susan sharpe-dickens
February 22, 2005
My aging parents, Bob and Jessie Ruffin-Sharpe, as well as myself, wish Betty and the children our deepest condolences and thoughts. Years have passed since we have spent time with you but the friendship never wained. What a kind and wonderful person "Big Ernie" was to all that were honored to know him. Susan Sharpe-Dickens
Walter I. "Wig" Geer
February 22, 2005
My family and I will never forget the extraordinary courage of Gov. Vandiver's flying through a thunderstorm with then-Governor Miller to attend Peter Zack's funeral. We have way too many good memories of Governor Vandiver, spanning the past fifty years, to begin to enumerate them here. We've all lost a great friend and wonderful public servant.
Billy Morse
February 22, 2005
I first met Gov. Vandiver and Betty on the chartered bus from St. Simons to Jacksonville for the 1989 Gator Bowl game between our Dogs and Mich. State which UGA won in Coach Dooley's last game as head coach. He simply introduced himself as "Ernie Vandiver" but I knew who he was, and was ecstatic to be able to work out our seat-locations to where my girl-friend and I could sit next to Ernie & Betty who know my aunt & uncle @ 1st Baptist/Lavonia, Jane & Bob Scales. I regret I never saw Ernie & Betty again, but I shall never forget that wonderful time together--personally meeting a former governor of the state I love, and witnessing Coach Dooley's last victory of the university I love. God bless you, Betty.
Lee Conrad
February 22, 2005
My prayers are with this wonderful family. I met the Vandivers when Mr. Vandiver was first running for governor. They moved into the house next door to me when I was 6. When he was elected I got to go to the old mansion and play hiding go seek with all his children. He was a very kind gentleman and will be missed. Lee McRae Conrad
John Hock
February 22, 2005
It was an Honor to get to know your sir!!!! Thank you
David Phillips
February 22, 2005
Your family is in our prayers. We appreciate your family and your service to our county and Georgia.
Boots McKee
February 22, 2005
Governor Vandiver was a true southern gentleman and leaves a great legacy to all Georgians. May God Bless his family.
Nannette Russell Jernigan
February 22, 2005
The world couldn't have asked for a more loving and giving uncle. Uncle Ernie always had time for me when I was a child, and later when I became an adult, he was interested in me and my children....always wanting to know how we were, what we were doing, and to make sure that we knew we were loved by him and Aunt Betty.
We love you Uncle Ernie. Emily, Ric, and I are so blessed to have had you in our lives.
Calvin Fluellen
February 22, 2005
Go in peace,Govenor Vandifer,for you have certainly earned it for the leadership that bridged this state into a new era of American promise for All its citizens.It was an act of great courage to transition a deeply conservative South into a different age and you helped do that with all the existing powers who had so firmly held the"lines".It must have been a thankless job in ways we will never know,but twentieth century Georgia history started with you.Bless you and your family and many thanks.
Bill Wattenberg
February 22, 2005
My folks moved to Tallahassee from Cartersville but never lost their love for Georgia. They instilled that love in me as well, and when I was growing up, we always spent two weeks of every year in North Georgia. I'm in the political field here and have always been a student of FL and GA governors. Governor Vandiver was one of my favorites. Bill Wattenberg
james e. peeples sr.
February 22, 2005
TO THE VANDIVER FAMILY MAY GOD TOUCH YOUR HEART WITH LOST OF YOUR LOVE ONE.MR VANDIVER WAS ALSO NICE TO US WENT HE STOP BT STUCKEY'S . MAY GOD BLESS
WC Long
February 22, 2005
I had the honor of serving a term in the Senate, while he was Governor.
May The Blessings of God be with the family
gary summers
February 22, 2005
condolences from the summers family. my father(marvin L.summers) was in ga legislature in the governors era and i got to serve as a page and meet him.
Cicero Lucas
February 22, 2005
My prayers and thoughts are with you. I retired from the State Captiol this year and have many fond memories. Gov. Vandiver, Ben Forston (Sec of State) and I have been on many trips together. My wife ask me the other day who my favoriate Gov. was and I told her Gov. Vandiver was right at the top.
Jordan Layne
February 22, 2005
God Bless this wonderful governor of Georgia! He shall never be forgotten. If only there were more people like him in office.
Charlene Terrell
February 22, 2005
I remember Mr. Vandiver well. He granted me an interview once at his home in Lavonia and he gave me encouragement and advice and kind words about my writing career. I will always appreciate that.
Franklin County chamber of Commerce
February 22, 2005
May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you peace. With respect to a courageous and dedicated servant of Georgia.
bo lowery
February 22, 2005
just a few words to let your family
know that you will surely be missed
by state,community and church that
you dedicated so much so many times
to God will surely bless you and may God be with the family in the days to come
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