Donald C. "Sonny" Vandiver

Mr. Donald C. "Sonny" Vandiver, 86, of Bolivar, departed this life Friday morning, September 11, 2015 at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis.

The husband of Mary A. Sisco Vandiver, who survives, he was a retired brakeman for the Burlington Northern Railroad. He was born October 9, 1928, in Hardeman County, son of the late James Wesley Vandiver and Frances Downen Vandiver and lived in Chicago and Memphis prior to moving back here in 1994. An avid outdoorsman, he dearly loved his family and enjoyed cutting the grass. He served his country in the US Army from 1951-1953. A Baptist in belief, his grandparents were the original founders of West Memorial Baptist Church, and he was a member of Bolivar First Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife, whom he married on October 30, 1954, survivors include a son, Ronnie L. Vandiver of Bolivar; five sisters, Dorris Marcum and Jessica Sharkey, both of Bolivar, Barbara Ann Martin (Joseph) of Nashville, Martha Sadlak (Gary) of Bolivar and Nellrose Vandiver of Texas; two brothers, James Bradford Vandiver (Barbara) of Jackson and Larry E. Vandiver (Merita) of Bolivar; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Charline Rindell and his stepmother, Minnie Vandiver. The family requests memorial donations in Mr. Vandiver's name be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate) or the charity of the donor's choice.