Thelma Marie Anderson

Thelma Marie Anderson, 93, Johnson City, passed into eternity on Sunday, December 9, 2018, peacefully at home with family by her side. Thelma was born in Willard, OH. She made Johnson City her home after moving from Bakersville, NC with her parents, Jeter and Nettie Phillips, and brother, Charles. She attended Johnson City Business School, where she met her husband of 47 years, Barney Anderson. She worked as bookkeeper for several businesses and customer service representative for Sears during her career. She later used those skills to serve as treasurer for her church home, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where she also taught Sunday and Vacation Bible School and was active in their outreach through the Interfaith Hospitality Network (now Family Promise) and the Lutheran Women?s Missionary League. In addition to her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by: her husband, Barnum ?Barney' Anderson; and brother, Charles Phillips. She is survived by: two daughters, Karen Anderson, and Sheila Anderson and her husband Rick Eisenstein; one son, Mark Anderson and his wife Debra Anderson; six grandchildren, Adonia Carrier and husband Chad Carrier, Erin DePriest and husband Matthew DePriest, Chelsea Messer, Adrienne Corey, Patrick Fields and wife Alanna Rodrigues Fields, and Cody Anderson; ten great grandchildren, Ava and Halen Carrier, Dominic and Johanna DePriest, Branson Messer and Finley Deere, McKenna Corey and Kael Merriman, and Laila and Lochlan Fields; sisters-in-law, Agnes Phillips, Arbutus Edwards, and Nancy Boyd; brother-in-law, Bill Boyd; many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins; and her sweet kitty companion, Ms. Lilly Belle. Thelma was a woman of great warmth, strength and dignity, who always thought of others and loved to laugh and smile, especially with her family. Her joy was to nurture, and she embraced that role through her loving care of her extended family and all who entered her life, her zest for gardening and cooking, and her compassionate care of her many animal friends. She lived out her strong faith in God?s goodness and enjoyed life with grace, humor and love. She was the best mother, grandmother and mother-in-law anyone could ask for. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, December 14, 2018, at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 15 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 201 E. Watauga Ave, Johnson City, TN. The committal service will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Mountain States Hospice and Dr. Michael Grosserode, her long-time physician; Adult Day Services of Washington County; and her in-home caregivers. Donations may be made in Thelma?s memory to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 201 E. Watuaga Ave, Johnson City, TN. 30601; Family Promise of Greater Johnson City (familypromisejc.com); or the Washington County /Johnson City Animal Shelter (wcjcanimalshelter.org).