Nelson’s Funeral Home

270 N. Dogwood Avenue

Ridgeway, SC 29130

(803) 337-4500

www.nelsonsofridgeway.com

Miss Me, but Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rights in a gloom-filled room;

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little but not too long

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take,

And each must go alone

It’s all a part of the master’s plan

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the friends we know

And bury your sorrow in doing good deeds.

Miss me but let me go.

Daddy

We know how much you loved us

And you know we loved you too.

We will forever miss you

And God knows that this is true.

We are forever grateful for being allowed to have you.

The weary hours and days of pain are over now for you.

So sleep on our loving Father until we meet again.

We not only lost a father, we also lost a loving friend,

Sleep on Daddy, take your rest.

Although we really loved you;

We know that God loved you best.

We know that you will be a “lion king” in heaven watching over all

of your cubs.

We will feel you in our presence because we know that we are

loved.

Your Loving Family

Floral Bearers Family and Friends

Acknowledgements

Words are inadequate to express the gratitude we feel toward all of our

family and friends who have consoled us during our bereavement.

Your many acts of kindness during these times will always be

remembered. May God bless each of you.

The Family

I’ll See You Soon

Losing a loved one is so hard to bare,

And you look at life and wonder if it’s fair.

The Lord makes no mistake and he’s never wrong;

For the rest of the family and yourself, you have to be strong.

If you always think positive you will always win;

In the great blue sky you will see them again.

They are living in the LORD’S bosom and they call it Paradise;

So you will know it has to be nice.

Just put a smile on your face and go on with your life,

When you see your loved one again, you will know the time is right.

Author Unknown

Sunday, March 13, 2016, 3:00 P.M.

Nelson’s Funeral Home

270 N. Dogwood Avenue

Ridgeway, SC 29130

Reverend Ricky Truesdale, Officiating

Mr. James L. Vanderhall July 26, 1938 – March 7, 2016

`xÅÉÜç

IN LOVING

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth

were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city new

Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned

for her husband,. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the

tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his

people and God himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe

away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,

nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed

away.” Revelation 21:1-4

Mr. James L. Vanderhall was affectionately known by his children as the “Lion

King.” He was born July 26, 1938 in High Point, NC to the late Robert and

Lula Simon Vanderhall. He departed his earthly life on Monday, March 7,

2016 at his residence surrounded by his family.

James attended the Public Schools in High Point, NC. After graduating high

school, James enlisted in the United States Navy from which he retired after

serving thirty years. While serving in the military, James continued his

education by receiving his Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree. During

his military career, James received the Bronze Medal and several other awards

and medals for exceptional job performance.

He believed in having a strong family bond. Having a strong family bond was

instilled in his children from birth. He was a principled man and he stood up

for what he believed and he encouraged his children to do the same.

James was the kindest and most generous person that you could possibly know.

He often made sacrifices in order to give to others. He was charming,

intelligent, articulate and a great speaker. Being active in the political arena,

he had many accomplishments, as well as political bumps. He was very active

politically on the local and state level.

In 1980, he co-chaired a Citizens Group which fought to bring about the

Fairfield County elected School Board. He also authored the legislation that

gave this board, at that time the only board with taxing power in the state.

This was a hard fought battle to have this become a reality. It took more than

two years before the first elected School Board was in place.

In 1982, he was the primary leader of more than 100 delegates who walked out

of the Fairfield County Democratic Party, protesting the lack of white support

for black candidates for elected offices. At the 1982 South Carolina State

Democratic Convention, Mr. Vanderhall co-authored a resolution that was

passed by the Convention that said the party should seek the support of all

Democrats serving in elected positions to become sensitized to the political

plight of Black South Carolina Democrats. It further stated that the black

community should receive a fair and impartial assessment of what realistic

political expectation it can depend on in regards to its continued membership

in the Party; and that blacks should be appointed to the many boards and

commissions locally and statewide.

He was also very instrumental in the Southern Christian Leadership Council

(SCLC) marches where more than 3,000 plus marched in Fairfield County in

support of equality for blacks. This was the largest number of people to march

in the SCLC tour.

In 1982, Mr. Vanderhall was instrumental in the election of Rufus Belton who

was the first elected black councilman from Ridgeway county-wide.

Obituary cont’d

In 1984, Mr. Vanderhall was instrumental in an FBI investigation that

caused the Juror selection process in Fairfield County to be amended.

Also in 1984, Mr. Vanderhall led an all Black Slate of Candidates for

every position in Fairfield County and he ran for the SC House of

Representatives. The Slate was unsuccessful except for one candidate;

but this effort made Mr. Vanderhall a viable political force.

In 1986, he along with three others filed the first lawsuit in the U. S.

District Court for the Fairfield County Council to become Single Member

Districts. The suit failed although there was at the time three blacks and

two whites on County Council. Two other whites at the time could not be

a part of the suit.

In 1996, Mr. Vanderhall was one of two blacks in a statewide lawsuit in

the U.S. District Court that challenged single member districts. It was

stated that single member districts only polarized the black vote and

placed black elected officials with diminishing political clout.

The accomplishments of this Navy decorated veteran is far more than

these that are listed. He loved the people of Fairfield County and often

said we have found a place of peace and beauty but can we in our own

greed, misunderstanding and distrust of each other continue to persevere.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories forever his wife of 58 years,

Shirley Miller Vanderhall; eight children, Tyrone P. (Teresa) Vanderhall

of Pensacola, FL, Alisha V. (Timothy) Murray of Ridgeway, SC, Brian T.

(Penny) Vanderhall of Winnsboro, SC, Kimberly E. (Jerome) Womack of

Jacksonville, FL, Latasha J. (Freddie) Robertson of Ridgeway, SC,

Nakeesha T. (Jerry) Young of Winnsboro, SC, Tiasia Vanderhall of

Ridgeway, SC and Torie Vanderhall of Ridgeway, SC; a host of

grandchildren great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren,

nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving relatives; two sisters, Mable

Turner and Phyllis Allen, both of High Point, NC; two brothers, Robert

(Delores) Vanderhall of Washington, DC and Leon (Thelma) Vanderhall

of Bensalem, PA; two aunts-in-law, Margaret (Roosevelt) McCaskle of

Monroe, NC and Lila Copeland of Boston, MA; two sisters-in-law,

Shirley and Valerie Miller of Boston, MA; special friends, William Grey

and Moses Bell of Ridgeway, SC.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul and Donald Vanderhall.

Obituary

Order of Service

Reverend Ricky Truesdale, Presiding

Prelude- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ms. Belinda Wilson

Processional- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Clergy, Family and Friends

Opening Selection- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Congregation

“Blessed Assurance”

Scripture:

Old Testament- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Reverend Curtis Robertson

New Testament- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Reverend James H. Adamson

Solo- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Ms. Gloria Qualls

Prayer of Comfort- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -

Reflections- - - - - - -(2 Minutes Please)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Poem - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Ms. Torie Vanderhall

Solo- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Mr. Eddie Nelson

Words of Comfort- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Reverend Ricky Truesdale

Presentation- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Funeral Directors

Closing Selection- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -Congregation

“I’ll Fly Away”

Recessional- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Funeral Directors

Interment

Fort Jackson National Cemetery

4170 Percival Road

Columbia, SC 29229

Date – To be Determined