Alene Vandergriff

Vandergriff Mary Alene Hixson, 87, of Jacksonville, Florida, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, beloved by all, went to be with the Lord on January 28, 2013. Alene was born on July 8, 1926, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Louise Brown Hixson and Luther Hixson. Alene was preceded in death by her parents and brother John Brown Hixson. She was married for 67 years to Raymond William (Ray) Vandergriff. She loved the Hixson Area of Chattanooga Tenn., the namesake of her family’s lineage, and enjoyed traveling and meeting new people throughout her life. A lifelong Christian, She grew up attending Baptist and Methodist churches. At her death, she was a confirmed member of Mandarin United Methodist Church in Mandarin were she and her family became active participants in 1964 and for many years was an active member of various church governing bodies and women’s fellowship organizations. Alene was a full time mother and housewife, reflective of an era when such practices were wholeheartedly embraced

She enjoyed preparing southern recipes passed down from her mother and steeped in southern tradition , she modeled the Biblical gift of hospitality by preparing meals for those in need. While her children were young, she was a stay-at-home mother, -football/baseball mom-, and Brownie troop parent.

While physically able she was a tireless volunteer at church and other organizations. She interacted heavily with many elderly women who were both members of Mandarin United Methodist Church and residents of the Wesley Manor Retirement Village, she provided transportation to organized church functions and served as a social companion to many women of elderly persuasion.

She leaves behind her son-in-law and daughter, Anderson Marshall and Anita Gaye Foote, her grandson- in- law and granddaughter Joshua and Angela Sheppard, her granddaughter Christen Foote, son Kevan Vandergriff and Grandson Justan Vandergriff. She also leaves behind two sisters Ada Caroline Guinn and Virginia Griffith.

Alene will be remembered throughout her well years for her caring spirit and her determination to provide for the elderly who were in need of companionship and her selflessness in providing resources and friendship to those she felt had needs of higher importance than her own.