Mary Francis Vanderford

MARY FRANCIS SUMRALL VANDERFORD PASCAGOULA Mary Francis Sumrall Vanderford, age 88, of Pascagoula, died Saturday, November 23, 2013. Ms. Vanderford, oldest of 9 children, was born to Irvin and Amber Sumrall on July 25, 1925 in Ellisville, MS. She married James Vanderford in February 1942 and they worked in various capacities in the defense department war effort in California, Arizona, Alabama and Mississippi through the 40’s during which time she often traveled from place to place on the back of a motorcycle behind her husband. Her husband became a Southern Baptist Minister in 1951 and became known as “Bro. Van”. She ministered by his side for 33 plus years in various positions to include but not limited to; Church Secretary, Sunday School Teacher, Bookkeeper, and WMU Director at numerous locations including; Airport Baptist Church in Greenville SC, Glenville Baptist Church in Glenville, NC, First Baptist Church in Tellico Plains, TN, Marble City Baptist Church in Sylacauga, AL, Maple Ave. Baptist Church in Geneva, AL, Lebanon Baptist Church in Falkville, AL, First Baptist Church in Reform, AL and Southwest Baptist Church in Hartselle, AL. She had a special relationship with her brother Richard who spent several summers living with her and Bro. Van as he grew up. After retiring, she and Bro. Van moved to Pascagoula to be near her family. Together they settled into Ingalls Avenue Baptist Church where they spent the final years of their lives. She became active as a Sunday school teacher, worked with the Women’s Ministries and worked in the daycare. During her years working beside her husband in the ministry, she was affectionately known as Miss Van and as Maw Maw Francis by her nieces and nephews. One of the highlights of her life was being honored for her marriage and ministry on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary at Ingalls Avenue Baptist Church. To say that she was mightly used in the ministry is an understatement and she was certainly greeted into Heaven by, “Well done thy good and faithful servant, enter into rest.” She was preceded in death and greeted in heaven by her husband, Rev. James E. Vanderford, mother and father, four brothers (Ken Sumrall of Pensacola, FL, Freddy Sumrall of Ellisville, MS, Joe Sumrall of Greenville, SC and Jack Sumrall of Kansas City MO) and two sisters (Robbie Nell Sumrall of Ellisville, MS and Ann Lott of Hattiesburg, MS. She is survived by brothers Randy Sumrall and Richard Sumrall of Pascagoula and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 26 from 9:00 - 10:00 at HOLDER WELLS FUNERAL HOME in Moss Point. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home chapel at 10:00 following visitation. Burial will follow at Jackson County Memorial Park in Pascagoula.

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Mary Francis Vanderford

July 11, 1925 - November 23, 2013