Vivian Burdeshaw

Vivian Meadows Burdeshaw, 81, died December 21, 2020, after a long and rich life, filled with a most loving family and so many dear friends. She was born in Phenix City, Alabama, on August 1, 1939, the youngest of five children of Dr. Ellison Marion Meadows and Mary Frances Meadows. She was a graduate of Auburn University, where she received a degree in elementary education. She was a member of Chi Omega sorority. It was there that she met the love of her life, John Acree Burdeshaw, and they enjoyed a wonderful, loving marriage until he passed away from cancer at the young age of 48 in 1985. “Bebe,” as she was affectionately known by family and friends, was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She taught preschool for years at All Saints Episcopal Day School and truly loved investing in the lives of children. She had the amazing gift of making everyone around her feel like they were her favorite. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Rebecca Burdeshaw Sanford (Craig), John Acree Burdeshaw, Jr. (Shalonne) and Mary Frances Miller, as well as her eight grandchildren, Anna Sanford, Caroline Sanford, Jake Burdeshaw, Mary Lauren Burdeshaw, Ky Burdeshaw, Clay Burdeshaw, Tate Burdeshaw and Jack Miller, and her brother, John Edmund Meadows. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, Teri Aizenman, Randy Thomas, Pam Huseman, John Edmund Meadows, Jr., Benette Satterwhite, Bob Meadows and Mary Frances Barber.

Bebe was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother Dr. Marion Ellison Meadows, Jr., her sisters, Mary Frances Thomas and Ida Byrd Wear, and her nephews, Marion Ellison Meadows III, Jody Thomas and Mike Wear.

She will be remembered for her unique ability to make life fun for everyone around her, for her wonderful sense of humor and for her ability to make everyone feel loved and incredibly special. We are planning a small, family graveside service on January 9, 2021 to celebrate the gift she was to all of us and that she's in the most loving arms of her Heavenly Father.