James Vanderhall

It is with profound Sorrow that the Management and Support Staff of Nelson's Funeral Home, LLC announce the death of Mr. James Vanderhall, 77, of Bellfield Road Ridgeway, South Carolina.

Mr.  Vanderhall departed his life Monday March 7, 2016, peacefully at his residence surrounded by his family.

Funeral services for Mr. Vanderhall will be held Sunday, March 13, 2016, 3:00 p.m. at Nelson's Funeral Home Chapel, 270 N. Dogwood Ave., Ridgeway, SC 29130.  Interment will be in Fort Jackson National Cemetery.  Public viewing will be Saturday, March 12, 2016, 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

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.

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.

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