Sidney Franklin Vandyke

Obituary

Sidney Franklin VanDyke was born March 19, 1936 in Plainville, Georgia to Henry Grady and Ruth McEntyre VanDyke, joining a brother, Donald. At the age of sixteen, he went to work in a wholesale florist and greenhouse and discovered a lifelong love of flowers and growing plants, eventually opening and operating his own successful wholesale floral business, VanDyke Wholesale Florist in 1972. His customers were also known as friends and he never saw a flower he didnt love. He continued working with fresh flowers and plants until a few weeks before his death. He had a love of car shows, hot rods and old cars, rebuilding several over the years, and he could occasionally be spotted driving his vintage red pickup truck around town. He was a devoted Braves, Falcons and Georgia Tech fan. Animals were drawn to him and he loved his cats and dogs, mostly rescues or strays who found their way to him.
Most of all, Sid loved his beautiful sweetheart, Pearlye with all his heart and loved his family, always putting them first and working hard to give them a good life. He first met Pearlye Gilmore as a teenager when his brother, Donald, married her sister, Faye in 1952. Sid and Pearlye were united in marriage on June 27, 1958 and were rarely apart until the day she went to Heaven in March of 2021. They raised three children together; Angie, Debra, and Ronnie. They were deeply involved in their kids lives, supporting and encouraging them in all they did, always present at football games, band concerts and school functions, chauffeuring them back and forth to piano and guitar lessons, volunteering for Vacation Bible Schools. Sometimes Sid would drive the church bus and he was a deacon in his church for many years. Sid and Pearlye became "Grandaddy" and "Nana" to their first grandson, Justin Childers, when he was born in 1983. Their second grandson, Seth VanDyke, followed in 1995. They were so very proud of those grandsons, always eager to tell friends of Justins ice skating adventures all over the world and how Seth is helping people as a nurse practitioner. In October of 2020, they were so excited to welcome sweet Emily Mauldin into the family when she and Seth were married.
Sidney was surrounded by his family as he stepped into eternity on January 18, 2022. Besides his brother, his children and grandchildren, survivors include the two sons in law, Angies husband, Tony Childers, Debras husband, Larry DeFoor, his daughter in law, Ronnies wife, Greta Whitfield VanDyke and his favorite niece, Vicki Bowman and her family. And last but not least, sweet Addi Grace will miss her special granddaddy so much.
Sidneys celebration of life will be on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Calhoun First Baptist Church at 1:00 PM. Visitation will precede the service from 11:AM until 1:00 PM. His former pastor of 38 years, Steven Pearson and his current pastor, John Barber will speak. Pallbearers will be Tony and Justin Childers, Larry DeFoor, Seth VanDyke, Brian DeFoor and Brayson Hyde. His children, Angie and Ronnie and his cousin Travis Stephens will provide the music he loved. Burial will follow the service at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens in Rome, Georgia. Masks are requested at the visitation and service and will be very much appreciated by the family.









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