Terry Vandiver's Obituary
Teruko “Terry” Yumi Vandiver, 88, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2020 at home, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on October 11, 1931 in Tokyo, Japan to Chie and Ginji Yumi. Terry met her husband, Bob, when he was stationed in Tokyo after WWII. They married, moved to the United States and shared 43 wonderful years together before his passing in 1999.She was a gifted seamstress and could replicate any design she saw in a magazine or movie. Her “homemade” clothes for the kids were better than any bought in stores! Her talents were well utilized throughout her life in her career. She worked at Trio Bridal Shop with her mother-in-law, buying the store with her sister-in-law, Juana, when it came time for her mother-in-law to retire. From there, she worked at Irene Herbert’s, Miss Jackson’s, and finally Aberson’s, from where she retired. Terry enjoyed many things in her life. She loved traveling back to Japan. One of her greatest joys was taking her children to Japan to introduce them to her family. She loved to work in the yard, planting flowers and vegetables in her garden, even weeding and mowing the grass. Terry was a talented artist. She loved to oil paint and do flower arrangements. She was active in the Japanese Friendship Club and enjoyed going to lunch with her girlfriends. She was the greatest cook and passed down her Japanese recipes to her children and grandchildren. She always made sure everyone was fed before she sat down at the table. And she loved holidays....especially Christmas! Terry was a devoted Wife, Mom and Grandma. She would do anything for her kids! Family was so important to her. She was a strong woman with a heart of gold. She was a member of Ranch Acres Baptist Church and held her faith close to her heart. She had such a soft, loving spirit and a beautiful smile. Everyone who met her fell in love with her! She faced the challenges and struggles given to her with grace, faith, strength, and beauty. She was an inspiration to all and will be missed every day. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Robert “Bob”, and her father and mother.
Terry is survived by her daughter Carol Vandiver of Tulsa OK, her sons Chaz Vandiver of Morning HI and Brian Vandiver of Broken Arrow OK, grandchildren Eric Swartz and Elliot Jackson, Celia and Eric Brown, Jasmyn Vandiver and Samuel Sadler, Brandon Vandiver, great-grandsons Victor and Ambrose Brown, sisters Toshiko, Shizuko and Noriko of Shimada, Japan, and their families, Koki, Toshi, Nabi, Manami, Tomison, Miyako, and their families, sister in law, Juana Vandiver, many nieces, and nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. We would like to send a special thank you to the angels at Elara Caring Hospice and Home Health. The care you provided was exceptional and made such a difference.
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