Gary Dean Vanderford Sr.

1949 - 2018

Gary Dean Vanderford Sr., 69, of Benton, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. He was born April 7, 1949, in Marked Tree.
Gary was a truck driver for 30 years. He worked at Walmart in Benton for three years. He has numerous brothers and sisters through his congregation of Jehovah's Witness in Thayer, Missouri, and Benton.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Robert C. Vanderford and Kathryn E. Vanderford-Dees; his oldest son, Steven Douglas Vanderford; two brothers, Donald Ray Vanderford and Robert Michael Vanderford; and a number of aunts and uncles.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 31 years, Ruby J. Vanderford, of Benton; three sons, Gary Dean Vanderford Jr. and wife, Kelly, of Holly Springs, Mississippi, Travis Snider and Billy Snider; three daughters, Elizabeth Rose Vanderford, of Cordova, Tennessee, Sherry L. Hagewood and husband, Jeremy, and Tracie Snider; five grandchildren, Trace and Maddox Hagewood, Austin Hite, Leslie Churchwell, Lauren Hite; two adopted great-grandchildren, Miyah and Macie Hite; two brothers, Tommy Lee Vanderford and wife, Sharon, of Benton, and Ricky Dale Vanderford and wife, Shannon, of Mooreheard, Minnesota; uncles, Edward Kennedy and wife, Bonita, of Hot Springs, and Billy Kennedy and wife, Brenda, of Trumann; and aunt, Martha Stanley, of Ripley, Mississippi; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; several wonderful nieces, nephews,
great-nieces and great-nephews; and a number of friends who loved Gary and will miss him always.
Reception visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, with funeral service, officiated by Bro. Gary Melton, following at 4 p.m.
One of his favorite verses is Romans 14:8, "If we live, we live to Jehovah, if we die, we die to Jehovah."
As we say our goodbyes, he will be missed and always loved.
Services are entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home.
Online guest book: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.