Lester Paul Vanderford

Lester Paul Vanderford, 76, of Batesville, MS passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023. 

Mr. Vanderford was born September 10, 1946 in Florence, AL to the late Lester Paul and Dezzie Horton Vanderford. Mr. Vanderford worked in regional management for Dunlap and Kyle. 

In addition to his parents, Mr. Vanderford was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Gail Vanderford, his sister, Nell Morris, and his brother, Aubrey P. Richardson, III. 

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Tim Vanderford, of Tuscumbia, AL and Michael Vanderford, of Little Rock, AR, his sister, Linda Peacock, four grandchildren, Anna Caryl Salansky (Garrett), Abigail Crowley (Kurt), Emily Vanderford, and Lauren Luna (Nicholas), two great-grandchildren, Rowan Luna and Wells Luna, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Paul loved family above all earthly things and cherished his time with family anywhere he found it.  Whether it was all day football gatherings on the deck, hot days at the pool or lake, or a special day in someone’s life, Paul was the loved patriarch who sealed the day as special.  If you were fortunate enough to be mentioned in one of his many stories, rest assured you are part of fond memories that will be shared again over many lifetimes. The game day experiences at stadiums across the country, fishing trips and many motorcycle trips are far too numerous to recount here in detail, but every single one lives in cherished memories.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful people at Dunlap and Kyle who shared 29 years with Paul and made Batesville home.  We also wish to thank the incredible people at AMG Specialty Care who treated us all like family.  Finally, thank you to the men of Bible Study Fellowship who greatly enriched Paul’s spiritual life with their weekly bible studies.   There will be a family memorial service in Florence, AL where Paul will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Linda. As Paul would not allow us to bring flowers to the hospital, the family would request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made through a donation to the Childrens Protection Center at www.childrensprotectioncenter.org.