Jean Carol "Jeanie" Vandergriff, née Eldridge, late of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away in her sleep on December 11, 2022, at The Fountains at Mill Cove after years of declining health following a brain aneurysm.
Jeanie was born on October 31, 1937, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and relocated to John Tarleton Home for Children alongside her siblings after their mother passed away. It was at John Tarleton where Jeanie's life changed forever: Her love for music blossomed through learning how to play the piano and participating in church music, and she met her future husband. A self-made woman, Jeanie went on to have a successful career working for Roux Laboratories and Landstar for over 25 years, despite entering the professional world without previous work experience.
Jeanie was a natural creator, adventurer, and connector. In addition to playing music in church, at weddings, and with a 50's rock band, Jeanie took joy in road trips, cruises, casinos, and riding in her convertible with the top down, wind blowing through her hair. Her favorite travels were the ones she experienced with her best friends, and her proudest moments involved making music with her children and granddaughter at St. Paul's Catholic Church.
Jeanie is survived by her children, Melanie (David Statham) Card, Steve (Kim McMahon) Vandergriff, Leslie (Ken) Berdahl, and Joe (Christina Adams) Vandergriff; her grandchildren, Jeff, Elyse, Joel, Steven, and Michael; her great-grandson, Jaxon; her sister, Charlotte; several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; loving relatives in Tennessee; and her dear and devoted friends. Jeanie was preceded in death by her former husband, Bob Vandergriff; her parents, Mabel and John; and her brother, Alvin Eldridge.

A memorial service for Jeanie will be held on January 6 at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Rd, Jacksonville, FL. The family will receive friends and guests at 1pm and the service will take place at 2pm, followed by the graveside interment.

Jeanie's wish was to have "pink everywhere," so the family requests that guests leave their black funeral clothes at home and instead wear their happiest shades of pink. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable donations be sent to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, the John Tarleton Home for Children, in Knoxville, TN, or the Community Hospice in Jacksonville, FL.

Jeanie will be loved and missed by all who knew and cared for her.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the direction and care of Arlington Park Funeral Home