Judge John W. A. Vardaman (1868-1911)

"JUDGE VARDAMAN SERIOUSLY ILL. The many friends of Hon. J. W. A. Vardaman, Judge of Probate, will regret to learn of his serious illness. He went to Antioch church last Wednesday mornibng to attend the funeral of Mr. J. S. Wooddy, and was taken sick during the funeral services and had to leave the church. Friends carried him to the home of Mr. John Wooddy, who lived near the church, and summoned a physician. He was brought to his home here Wednesday afternoon. His mother, Mrs. Vardaman, and sister, Mrs. Webb, of Alexander City, are at his bedside" (p. 269).

"DEATH CLAIMS JUDGE JOHN W. A. VARDAMAN. John W. A. Vardaman, Probate Judge of Chambers county, died at his home here last Wednesday evening at 7:50 o'clock, after an illness of one week. Mr. Vardaman was born in Tallapoosa county, Ala., Oct. 19th, 1868. He came to LaFayette in 1893, and entered LaFayette College, studying one year under Dr. McNeil. He then read law and shortly afterwards became Clerk of the Probate Court under the administration of Judge A. J. Driver, Jr. On Jan. 29th, 1910, he announced his candidacy for the office of Judge of Probate, and was nominated by a handsome majority in the May primary and elected without opposition in the general election in November. He assumed the duties of his office on January 16th, 1911, and had served only three and one half months of his six years' term.

As a man Judge Vardaman was held in the highest esteem; as an official he was fast taking a position as a just and upright Judge; as a friend he was true and loyal, a great hearted man whose sympathy and help went out to the poor and needy, the distressed and suffering. A man of lofty ideals, he was ambitious to meet all of life's obligations in the spirit of true manliness. His integrity was unimpeachable, his patriotism unquestioned. As a son and brother, no man could have been more devoted.

On last Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, a great congregation made up of his fellow citizens from every section of the county, assembled in the auditorium of the Baptist chruch in this city to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory, and to give their silent, though eloquent sympathy to the deeply bereaved family. The funeral sermon preached by Dr. W. C. Bledsoe was solemn and deeply impressive, and received the profound attention of the large assembly. The music rendered by a selected choir was beautiful and appropriate. It was a sad, sad occasion to our people.

The remains were carried to Goodwater Thursday afternoon and the interment made in the family burying ground near that place Friday morning. The services at the grave were in charge of the Masonic fraternity, of which the deceased was a faithful member. A number of Masons and other friends from this palce accompanied the remains to the grave.

Mr. Vardaman leaves to mourn his sad death, his mother, two sisters and one brother, a number of relatives and a host of friends" (p. 270).

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A resolution by Solomon Lodge #74, A. F. & A. M., LaFayette, Ala. was dated June 3, 1911, signed by N. D. Denson, Jr., R. G. Simpson, H. M. Schuessler, and published (p. 270).

A resolution adopted by the Baptist Sunday SchooL was signed by C. W. Griffin, R. G. Simpson, and C. W. Lowe, and published (pp. 270-271).

"...Brother Vardaman was a good and loyal Elk, and exemplified in his daily life and conduct toward his fellow men, the noble tenets of our order...Therefore, be it resolved by Opelika Lodge 910 B. P. O. E., That, while we deplore the death of our Brother, yet we bow our heads in humble submission to the Will of Him who doeth all things for the best...That this lodge room be draped in mourning for a period of thirty days in respect to the memory of our beloved Brother...Fraternally Submitted, John K. Watkins, L. F. Dickson, W. T. Andrews, Committee" ( p. 271).

"CARD OF THANKS, We desire to express our sincere gratitude to the loyal friends of our dearly loved son and brother, for their unsurpassed kindness and faithfulness during his last severe illness and death. May God's richest blessings be upon them all. --Mrs. Julia Vardaman, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Webb, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Gwin"

These quotes are all from ALLIE ABERNATHY'S SCRAPBOOKS 1893-1923: Marriages, Deaths and Other Items from Chambers County, Alabama Newspapers, compiled by Laura Alabama Floretta Abernathy.

Mary on the otherside