Hersey Anderson

As we retrace the life journey of Hersey Anderson, we can only give thanks for all of the many lives he has enriched along the way. A simple, straight forward, yet classic man Hersey Anderson lived a full and rich life of 87 years. Hersey Anderson’s journey of life began on May 20, 1929 in Ouachita County, Arkansas. He was the son of Willie Isaiah Anderson and Lena Carroll Anderson. His parents taught him to adhere to high morals, spiritual, and educational values. He attended school in Camden, Arkansas and loved learning. Hersey was a life-long member of Greater St. Paul Baptist Church. He joined the Usher board in 1965 and served as an Usher for over 50 years. On January 15, 1951 at the age of 21, he was inducted into the United States Army. He served from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War and was stationed in Manheim, Germany, where he received the Army Occupation Medal. After an honorable discharge he moved back to Camden and joined his father working for Union Taxi Company as a driver. He later met the love of his life, Dorothy Lee Carter Johnson. During their 47 years of marriage, Hersey and Dot-Tee (as he affectionately called her) built a home and raised 3 children, Jeane C. Johnson Burks, Jacquelyn Faye Anderson Rayford and Michael W. Anderson. After working for Union Taxi Company for a couple of years, he proposed the idea of opening their own taxi company to his wife and dad. He, his wife and dad applied for a business loan and Red Bird Taxi Company, Inc., opened for business. It was one of the first African American owned businesses in Camden at that time. Red Bird Taxi Company was such a success that it caused Union Taxi Company to close their business. A sharp and stalwart business man; Hersey and his wife, Dorothy purchased property previously known as Camden’s City Dump on Bradley Ferry Road in 1962. They made renovations to the property, purchased a wrecker truck and opened another African-American owned business, Anderson Wrecker & Towing. The business became a huge success. His son, Michael W. Anderson later became the company’s accountant. Hersey was often sought for wise advice and his opinion. His pilgrimage was humble, modest and fulfilling. With a youthful spirit, he continued to work and play with the exuberance of a teenager, all while continuing to travel, purchase the latest vehicles and he always dressed to impress. Several years later, he married Ethel L. Davis Williams. Hersey was all for family and found no greater love than that of his family. His life was rewarding, full, and blessed. On Sunday, April 30, 2017, with his daughter, Jeane C. Burks and son, Michael W. Anderson at his side he slipped the bonds of this life for a life in eternity. His independent spirit, iron will, and strong character will never be duplicated, but leaves an impression on the lives of those he touched and enriched along this life’s journey. Hersey was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Dorothy L. Anderson; daughter, Jacquelyn Faye Anderson Rayford and two brothers, Larry Anderson and Clifford Anderson. A lifetime of love and memories will be forever felt by his wife, Ethel L. Anderson; daughter, Jeanne C. Burks; son, Michael W. Anderson all of Camden, AR; grandchildren, Michelle D. Burks (Jonathan “Jay”) Augustine of New Orleans, LA, Tennille L. Burks of Metairie, LA, Michael Vickers of Little RocK, Kendra Anderson of Houston, TX and Kevin Rayford of Camden; brothers, Herbert Anderson, Walter (Carolyn) Anderson, Rickie (Denise) Anderson, Donald R. Anderson, Zephrey (Barbara) Anderson, and Roy L. Anderson of all Camden and Robert (Judy) Anderson of Arkadelphia; sisters, Mae Helen Manuel of Homer, LA, Juanita Stevenson of Little Rock, AR, Willie Mae Turner of Little Rock, AR, Fannie M. (Calvin) Thompson of Camden, AR, Joice (Roderick) Jefferies of The Woodlands, TX and Christine Presley of Minneapolis, MN; children, Mattie Owens of Euclid, OH, Thabit I. Fareed "Thomas Isom" of Atlanta, GA, Jackie Ross of Camden, AR, Gail Huckaby of Los Angeles, CA, Erica Johnson of Camden, AR, Tammy Johnson of Little Rock, AR, Frankie Abbott of Little Rock, AR, Jeffrey Kelley of Dallas, TX and DeAndre Anderson of Camden, AR; He also leaves a host of over 20 other grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, his beloved Greater St. Paul Baptist Church Family, special friends Rev. J. C. Manley, Alonzo Bennett, Deacon Grady Moore, Deacon L. C. "Buckshot" Smith and an innumerable amount of other friends.