Eugene Vandergriff

Eugene Vandergriff, age 85, went to his heavenly home July 29, 2017. Eugene loved the Lord with a passion and loved to share that love with everyone he met. He served the Lord faithfully as a deacon at Oak Street Baptist Church for over 30 years and was currently serving as a deacon at Forest Hill Baptist Church for nearly 20 years. He faithfully attended the men's Tuesday morning prayer time and loved all of the godly men who were there. Eugene worked hard as a machinist for over 40 years and retired from Newcomb Machine Shop, Knoxville. He loved to go fishing with his brothers and friends and even won a few fishing tournaments. Eugene was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Emma Jean Keeble Vandergriff; daughter, Terri Lee Owens; son-in-law, Gary Tipton; sisters, June Jarmon and Edna Atkins. Survivors include daughters & sons-in-law Linda & Aaron Lambert, Mary Tipton, of Maryville, Harvey Owens of South Carolina. Grandchildren, Rev. David & Julia Lambert, Thomson, GA; Allen & Marissa Lambert, Lee & Amber Tipton, Kelly Tipton, Maryville. Great grandchildren, Troy Lambert, Addie Jo Lambert and Madelyn Grace Tipton, Maryville; Abigail Grace Lambert, Thomson, GA; Brothers, Frank Vandergriff, Sevierville; Earl Vandergriff, Maryville, many nieces and nephews, special friends, Buddy & Lillian Lambert; Lloyd (Possum) & Brenda Lawhon and all his Forest Hill family. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Forest Hill Baptist Church Mission Fund, 1850 Forest Hill Rd, Maryville, TN 37803. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Smith Trinity Chapel. Celebration of Life will follow at 7:00 PM with Rev. Gary Thomas. Family and friends will assemble for interment at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Grandview Cemetery with Rev. David Lambert officiating. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Eugene Vandergriff please visit our Sympathy Store.