Jim Vanderford

Celebration services will be at 3:00 PM Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at Word Alive International Outreach in Oxford, AL for Mr. Jim Vanderford, 62 of Southside. Officiating his service will be Pastor Kent Maddox, Pastor Mark Harris, and Luke Varvell. Interment will be at Rainbow Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Vanderford grew up in Piedmont and after graduating from high school attended Jacksonville State University where he graduated in 1971. Jim was also an active member of the National Guard. He was a History teacher and Counselor at Walter Wellborn High School until 1980 when he joined the faculty of Gadsden State Community College as Counselor before his retirement in 2000. He continued to work part time at the college but also taught Bible classes at Westbrook Christian School. Jim was also the announcer for the Westbrook Warriors baseball team for many years. He also served as Minister of Music at White Springs Baptist Church for several years. He was an active member of Word Alive International Outreach.

Mr. Vanderford’s greatest passion in life was serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He ministered and shared God’s love with everyone he came in contact with. He absolutely loved working with students and seeing that their needs were met.

He was a loving, faithful husband, father, and grandfather that enjoyed spending time with his family. Jim also enjoyed hunting, upholstery, baseball, lawn care, and Nascar racing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnel and Lucy Vanderford.

Survivors include his wife, Cathy Vanderford, his sons, Jacob (Brittney) Vanderford and John (fiance’ Emily Fleming) Vanderford and grandson, Jackson.

Pallbearers will be Jesse Craft, Brent Ellison, Tim Green, Richard Hollingsworth, Matt Kennedy, Joe Mashburn, Jack Mayfield and Chris White. Honorary Pallbearers will be the faculty and staff of Gadsden State Community College and his many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gadsden State Community College Jim Vanderford Technical Scholarship Fund, Isaiah 58 Food Ministry at 122 Allendale Road Oxford, Al 36203, or Father’s Love Ministry at P.O. Box 7161 Rainbow City, Al 35906.

A special word of gratitude goes to Dr. Lucian Newman, III and Melissa Armstrong

Visitation will be from 1:30-3:00 PM Wednesday at Word Alive International Outreach in Oxford.

www. collier-bulter.com