Halls, Tennessee
Vandergriff, John Edward (Vandy) –age 88 of Halls, died at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, October 22, 2005 at Select Specialty Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was a member of Smithwood Baptist Church and the Gideons Sunday School Class. He was a WWII Army Veteran. John was an avid U.T. sports fan, especially Lady Vols Basketball. He was the manager of Union 76 Service Station in Fountain City for 25 years before retirement and has been a Funeral Assistant at Stevens Mortuary for 27 years.
The family wishes to thank the nursing staff of St. Mary’s Medical Center for their loving care of John and members of his family during illness.
Preceded in death by son, Ronnie Dyer; parents, Frank and Essie Vandergriff; sisters, Emma Lee Gault and Louise Gault; brothers-in-law, Randall (Bud) Stephens, Thomas C. Stevens, and Kenneth Stephens and wife Frances; sisters-in-law, Othello Stephens, Ruth Stephens Dunsmore; niece, Brenda Faye Stevens.
Survivors: wife of 43 years, Virgie Stephens Vandergriff of Halls; daughter, Sharon Coffman of Corryton; grandsons and wives, Eddie and Vicky Coffman of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Kevin and Heidi Coffman of Halls; great-grandchildren, Cayden Coffman, Taylor Coffman, Zachary Miracle, Logan Peters, and Jordan Coffman; sisters-in-law, Bernice C. Stevens and Carolyn Stephens both of Knoxville; nieces and nephews, Evelyn Stevens Grindstaff, Johnny and Joy Dunsmore, Kay and Edward Mayes, Judith DeVore, and Kenneth Allen Stephens; great-nieces and great-nephews, Michal Cantwell, Shane Dunsmore, Chris Dunsmore, Randall Parson, Douglas Grindstaff II, Melinda Grindstaff McAlindon, Janet Grindstaff, Craig Worsham, and Cheri Gibson; cousins, George and Dema Huffman; special friends, E. C. and Katie Garrett, Kimberly and Karen Garrett, Gary Teague, Lee Ward, Kathy Bramblett, Mary Cantwell, and Bitsi Watson.
Funeral service 1:00 p.m. Tuesday in Stevens Mortuary Chapel with Dr. David Crutchley,
Rev. Bobby Lay, and Rev. James Whitson officiating. Interment will follow at Lynnhurst Cemetery. Pallbearers: Eddie Coffman, Kevin Coffman, Randall Parsons, Edward Mayes, Gary Teague, and Lee Ward. Honorary pallbearers: E. C. Garrett, Johnny Dunsmore, and the staff of Stevens Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to Smithwood Baptist Church, 4914 Jacksboro Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918.
The family will receive friends 5 – 8 p.m. Monday at Stevens Mortuary, Oglewood Avenue at North Broadway.
John was one of the best guys I have ever met. While working at Stevens, I always looked foward to John coming into work. He always had a smile and candy in his pocket for everyone. Virgie, my prayers are with you during this time.
Todd Lindamood
November 07, 2005 | Atlanta, GA
Virgie -
You are still in my thoughts and prayers. You and Vandy are bright shining stars. He will be missed very, very much! Love you bunches, Kimberly
Kimberly Mitchell
November 01, 2005 | Knoxville, TN
Vandy will be remembered as a smiling, friendly greeter at Stevens. He will be missed.
Ione Fielden
November 01, 2005 | Corryton, TN
So sorry to hear of John's passing. He was such a fun person to be around, both at the funeral home, and back in the days at the Union 76 in Ftn. City, where me and Gary Carpenter would hang out between calls at the KPD.
Dennis, Kathie, Allison Bowman
October 30, 2005 | Knoxville, TN
We were so sorry to hear of John's passing. We will always remember his kindness, sweetness, and his joking with us. He was so good to us during the loss of our families. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
Becky, David, and Kristina George
October 29, 2005 | Knoxville, TN
YOUR FAMILY IS IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. JOHN WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON.
JEWELL BROOKS, STATE FARM INSURANCE
JEWELL BROOKS
October 26, 2005 | KNOXVILLE, TN
JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. SORRY I WAS UNABLE TO COME TO THE VISITATION.
MIKE, CANDY, KEVIN & KRISTEN SNIDER
CANDY SNIDER
October 26, 2005 | KNOXVILLE, TN
WE WISH TO EXTEND OUR SYMPATHIES TO VANDYS FAMILY.
ED & VIRGINIA PHILLIPS
October 25, 2005 | SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Vergie-I was out of town and unable to be at the funeral home to give you a hug--We at KOC will miss Vandy so much-We always looked forward to your visits!!May God bring you comfort in knowing friends are praying for you and your family-We will keep in touch-Love Beth Smith
beth smith
October 25, 2005 | Knoxville, TN
