Mildred Vandiver

Mildred Abernathy Vandiver, born June 7, 1932, or 33 depending on who you ask, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and caregivers on December 4, 2025.

Mildred was born in White County, Georgia, to Joel and Gillie Abernathy and was one of seven children. Growing up in Towns and White Counties, she then moved to Atlanta for a short time, where she worked as a telephone operator, before returning to White County and marrying Franklin (Buzz) Vandiver on Christmas Day 1952.

After raising four children, Mildred traveled most of the world and volunteered at Scenic View Convalescent Home, where her Church held Sunday School for the residents. She also enjoyed helping at the soup kitchen and Caring and Sharing in Cornelia.

Mildred loved to garden and share her bounty with others. She also loved flowers and being among them in her garden, as well as visiting them in the gardens of her travels.

Having an eye for fashion, Mildred always dressed to impress. Whether it was shopping with friends, going to Church, or just working in her garden, she always looked beautiful. If she wasn’t traveling or gardening, she was engrossed in her books, reading up to three books at a time.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Joel and Gillie Abernathy, husband Franklin (Buzz) Vandiver, daughter Cynthia Vandiver Hammond, Sisters Catherine Adams, Bertha McKinney, Faye Barrett, and brothers Ray Abernathy and Alton Abernathy.

Mildred is survived by children, Tracy Vandiver Smith (Russ) of Cleveland, Elizabeth Vandiver Farley of Demorest, and Franklin Joel Vandiver (Angie) of Demorest, son-in-law Ronnie Hammond of Gainesville, Five Grandchildren: Courtney and Andrew Hammond, Bridgett, Vanessa, and Jack Jordan Farley, as well as two great-grandsons, Landon and Zachariah McElhannon. Mildred is also survived by one sister, Grace Burnett Stover (M.J.), special niece Melissa Ragan, sisters -in -law, Janice Abernathy, Jimmie Vandiver, and Miriam Vandiver. Additionally, Mildred is survived by many Abernathy and Vandiver nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend many thanks to the staff of Laurel Lodge and the Caritas Hospice team for loving and caring for our Mom.

A gathering of Mildred’s family and friends will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Cleveland First Methodist Church.

A complete obituary will follow.

To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland | (706) 865-3101