Mary Elizabeth Vandergrift

MARY ELIZABETH "MEME" VANDERGRIFT, resident of the Longtown Community in Fayette County for over 50 years and daughter of the late William E. "Bill" Vandergrift and Elizabeth Newell Vandergrift, died at 5:55 P.M. Thursday, December 13, 2007 at the St. Francis Hospital in Memphis where she had been a patient for 2 weeks. She was 59 years of age and died following a 5-month illness.

Funeral services for Miss Vandergrift were conducted at 2 P.M. Sunday, December 16th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. Bobby Rushing, Pastor of the Keeling Baptist Church, officiating. He was assisted by Rev. Jim Stubbs, Pastor of the Braden United Methodist Church. A solo selection was given by a family friend, Amy Barcroft. Interment followed in the Cedar Hill Cemetery at Mason. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Home-Main Chapel of Somerville.

Miss Vandergrift was born in Kosciusko, MS January 14, 1948. She moved at an early age with her family to West Tennessee and was educated in the Fayette County Public School System. She was a 1966 graduate of the Fayette County High School in Somerville and completed her education at the West Tennessee Business College in Jackson, TN.

Miss Vandergrift was a member of the Braden United Methodist Church and will be remembered for her love of riding and showing horses. She was an avid Hal Ketchum music fan and her membership in his fan club permitted her to develop longtime friendships throughout the United States and Canada.

A paraplegic for 35 years from injuries received in an accident, Miss Vandergrift served as an inspiration to all who knew her through her optimism and faith despite her confinement. She remained independent and lived alone in the Vandergrift family residence at Longtown after the death of her parents. She received much enjoyment from her pet cat and constant companion, "Smudge".

Survivors of Miss Vandergrift include two sisters, Billie Ruth Jones (David) of McCool, MS and Pat Simpson (Johnie) of the Belmont Community; her niece, Christi Cullen (Jon); three nephews: Greg Simpson (Leia), Craig Simpson (Emily) and Michael Jones (Amy) and seven great-nieces and nephews.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were, Michael Jones, Craig Simpson, Greg Simpson, Jason Connell, Dwayne McCulley and Jackie Simpson.

The family request that Memorials be directed to The National Organization For Rare Disorders (NORD), 55 Kenosia Avenue, PO Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968-phone: (203) 744-0100 or online at www.rarediseases.org/helping/donate