Jimmie A. Vandever of Umatilla died on March 27, 2024 in Pendleton at the age of 87 at her new home in the Suttle Care facility, which she said was beautiful and felt comfortable – just like home.
She was born on Oct. 23, 1936 in Cuba, N.M.
Jimmie was born as Audine LaNell, but at the spry young age of 2 1/2 she told her momma and daddy that she wanted her name changed to Jimmie, because it needed to sound tougher, which they obliged. Jimmie was the epitome of “Daddy’s little girl.“ She was his right hand helping with all the chores. Jimmie had three siblings, two sisters who have passed – Lita and Nita – and one living brother, Lloyd.
Jimmie met the love of her life, Keith Vandever in Fence Lake, N.M., where they were married on her 18th birthday, Oct. 23, 1954. Her daddy boycotted and didn’t attend the wedding, not because he disapproved but because he didn’t want to lose his baby girl and right-hand man.
Keith and Jimmie were married for 70 years. They had four boys, Jimmy Keith, Joe, Steve and Jerry. They worked hard to raise their boys to be good, loving men. Hunting and fishing were passions that they instilled into their children and grandchildren, as well.
Jimmie’s title that she had the most pride in was being called Nana. She was blessed with eight grandchildren, the late Jermey Vandever, Darcy Vandever, TJ Vandever, Teonna (Vandever) McCabe, Jessica Vandever, Jacob Vandever, Ashley (Vandever) Johnson, and Justin Vandever.
You could find her every August through late October up at hunting camp reading a book and hanging out with the grandkids, who were either too young to go out on the morning’s hunt or were just too tired from the previous day’s hunt. She loved gardening, watching hummingbirds, her flowers (especially roses), Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and Unsolved Mysterious. She introduced all her grandkids to coffee, which was mostly milk served in the coveted Garfield coffee cup.
The eight grandkids blessed Jimmie and Keith with 16 beautiful great-grandkids, who kept them young and on their toes.
Jimmie lived an amazing full life, and after five years was finally reunited with the love of her life in heaven. The family finds peace in knowing that they are together again.
A family celebration will be held.
Please share memories of Jimmie with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
