PENDLETON, NC – James Michael Vandiford, age 79, of Pineridge Lane, passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021 at the Accordius Health at Creekside Care of Ahoskie, NC.
Mr. Vandiford was born on April 5, 1942 to James Aaron Vandiford and Vashta Elizabeth Toler Baker in Newbern, NC. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local union 1340 for 20 years. He cherished his family and loved spending time with them. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, building boats, and riding the river. He loved reading and exploring the local history and was always dabbling in genealogy. James will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Jeanette Vandiford, and a sister, Ann V. Weathersbee.
James is survived by two sons, Brian Allan Vandiford and wife Renee Mallard, and Michael Ray Vandiford and wife Debby, both of Pendleton, NC; brother, Douglas Vandiford and wife Kathleen of Springfield, OH; sister, Sharon Rose Miller and husband Randy of Bridgeton, NC; one grandson, Michael Ray Vandiford, Jr. and wife Brittney of Courtland, VA; two granddaughters, Bridgette Marie Vandiford Sawyer and husband Eric of Conway, NC, and Brittany Elizabeth Vandiford of Gaston, NC; five great grandchildren, Brody Vandiford, Caroline Vandiford, Brooklynn Sawyer, Kohlton Sawyer, and Hunter Caudill; step-granddaughter, Heather Caffee; two step- great grandchildren, Barkley, and Jackson Caffee; a step- brother, Gene Baker; and brother-in-law, James Weathersbee, and beloved companion, his dog Rusty.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 1:00 pm at the Riverside Cemetery, Murfreesboro, NC.
Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Vandiford family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting garrettsykesfs.com.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
So sorry for your loss.
Love, Connie & Darnell Moss
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Uncle Mike. I have very fond memories of him and never had a bad experience around him. He took me on my first motorcycle ride, introduced me to the games Farkle and Rook, invited us to Revelle’s Beach on plenty of occasions, cooked our Thanksgiving pigs at 3 AM (back when Thanksgiving was actually cold), letting me eat his apple fiber cereal while he was recovering from heart surgery, and providing countless laughable moments. I’ll never forget his infectious laugh, interesting anecdotes, and kindness he always afforded me. Miss you, Uncle Mike.