Mrs. Maxine Vandergriff, 89, Goodman, departed this life on Thursday evening, July 2, 2009, at the Medicalodge Care Center in Neosho, following several months of declining health.
Maxine entered this life on July 31, 1919, in the Erie Community in rural McDonald County, one of four children born to the union of the late Bion Fletcher and Ferne Ivy (Ferguson) Tennison. She resided most of her life in the Goodman area. She graduated from Stella High School and the Joplin Junior College. She taught school at Erie and Indian Springs both located in McDonald County and later in Valentine, Neb. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Goodman, where she held the position of church secretary, pianist and adult ladies Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed playing the piano, reading and tending to her flower gardens.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene Vandergriff; a grandson, David Widener; and a brother, John Tennison.
Maxine is survived by a son, Bob Widener and wife, Barbara, Stella; two daughters, Vicky Rich and husband, Homer, Stillwell, Okla., and Jerry Harp and husband, Jack, Anderson; 11 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Pat Tennison, Kansas City, Mo., and Barbara Herrin and husband, Calvin, Goodman; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Vandergriff are 10 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church in Goodman, with Bro. Frank Crosby officiating. Burial will follow in the McNatt Cemetery near Goodman. Those honoring her life by serving as pallbearers are Jon Rich, David Rich, Tim Rich, Michael Toland, Doug Widener and Darrin Widener.
The family will receive friends from 3-4 p.m. today in the Goodman Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Homes.
On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site
www.ozarkfuneralhome.com.
Memorials are being directed to the Medicalodge Care Center and contributions may be left at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home, Goodman.
