Mabel Jennings Vandergriff

Mabel Jennings Vandergriff was born October 29, 1918 in Clinton, TN in the same house where her father and grandfather were born; she died peacefully in her sleep on May 17, 2017 at her home in Vestavia, AL. The youngest of six girls born to Jim and Flora Jennings, she grew up on their farm and went to school in Claxton and Clinton. She played basketball and graduated from Clinton High School the year they played in the state tournament held at the University of Tennessee. She delighted in saying she played at UT and remained a UT fan all of her life. While in High School she met Allen Vandergriff at Zion Baptist Church and they eloped to Kentucky, taking their pastor with them to officiate. They soon moved to Knoxville, where Allen, later known as "Vandy," worked for the telephone company. His job moved them to Columbia, TN, Atlanta, GA, and eventually Birmingham, AL where they retired. Faithfully active in Baptist churches, they were members of Lincoln Park, First Baptist, Columbia, Cascade Baptist, and Shades Mountain Baptist where they both were members at the time of their deaths. Through the years Mabel taught Sunday School and participated in women's missions activities, played hand-chimes, sang in the senior choir, traveled with and attended events for senior adults. Mabel was a dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who expressed her love through baking and cooking for family, neighbors, and friends in need. She won several 1st & 2nd prizes for the dolls she dressed for the Telephone Pioneers Christmas toy collection projects, stitched window and table coverings for the missionary houses at her church, and was a volunteer at Children's Hospital. Besides sewing clothes for her daughters, she made hand-stitched quilts for each of her family: husband, 4 children, 5 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 2 great, great-grandchildren (and one for herself). She was the last "original house-owner" in her Winwood neighborhood and enjoyed so much the attention, love and care the neighbors share.

Pre-deceased by her husband of 63 years, I. A. "Vandy" Vandergriff, infant son David Leigh Vandergriff, daughter Mary Alise Vandergriff, and son-in-law Millard Darden, she is survived by her son Buford (Martha) Vandergriff (Covington, GA); daughters, Phyllis Darden (McDonough, GA) and Barbara Vandergriff (Vestavia); grandchildren David (Laura) Darden; Pam (Jeff) Pajerski; Richard (Laura) Darden; Bill (Paige) Vandergriff; Michael (Alicia) Darden; their children: Kelsea (Lathan), Grant, Jackson, Kourtney, Kailey, Payton, Sydney, Harlan, Lyndsey, Megan, Rowen, Briana, Olivia, AJ, Kenna, Bronwyn, Flynn, Imogen, and great-great grandchildren: Ryleigh and Derek, along with a host of nieces and nephews and like-family friends and neighbors. A service of worship and a celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Southern Heritage Chapel with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shades Mountain Baptist Church "Make Jesus Known" missions fund, 2017 Old Columbiana Rd, Vestavia, AL, 35216.

Our family is grateful for two and a half years of excellent care and attention given by Comfort Care Hospice of Pelham. Her terrific team of care-givers improved and helped extend her life from the first day they started until she drew her last breath. Thank you to Sharee, Carolyn, Lynn, Libby, Millie, Ellen, Bart, substitutes, and to Chelsea, a special sitter and friend.