Bertha Mae Anderson

As we retrace the footprints of our mother Mrs. Bertha Mae House Anderson we can only give thanks for the many lives she touched and enriched along life’s journey. A meek and humble woman, she was blessed to enjoy many of God’s blessings as a child, a sister, a wife, our mother, a grandmother and dear friend. She began her journey of life on September 3, 1924 when she was born as the fifth child of thirteen children born to Raymond and Mary Nora House in Princeton, Arkansas. She confessed her hope in Christ and was baptized at an early age. The roots of her faith are grounded in Eastern Star Baptist Church in the Smithton Community where she served faithfully as a deaconess, in the Missionary society. Our mother met our father, the handsome Odray Anderson, Sr. and following an appropriate period of courtship they were married on September 5, 1942. The Lord entrusted two children into their care to love and nurture. She along with our father made many sacrifices to support our family. She was a dutiful house wife and was a part of that generation that counted motherhood as virtue. Throughout her life, she has enjoyed her family, cooking and worshipping the Lord. Our mother walked by faith and her faith always presented a bright lighthouse in our life and the life of her extended family. After 59 wonderful years of sharing life with our father, he was called to glory to be with the Lord on February 1, 2002. At our family home in Gurdon on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 after a valiant fight at our mother slipped the surely bonds of this earth and traded time for eternity. It was a peaceful transition as our family gathered to bid her a safe journey home. Our mother lovingly leaves to celebrate and honor her life’s journey: daughter, Debra Ann (Don) Farmer of Raliegh, NC; son, O’Dray, Jr. (Linda) Anderson of Gurdon, AR; Mary Ann Anderson, mother of Marcel Anderson and Andre’ Anderson her only grandchildren all of Gurdon, AR. She also leaves two sisters, Maxine Albert and Lillie B. Anderson both of Gurdon, AR; and two brothers, Hosea (Edna) House of San Diego, CA, and Roosevelt (Faye) House of Gurdon, AR., and a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the Eastern Star Baptist Church family. Mrs. Anderson will lie in state at Williams Funeral Home on Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 12 noon until 5:00 p.m. The family will greet friends on Sunday, June 6, 2010 from 4:00 -5:00 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Eastern star Baptist Church – 1214 Smithton Rd. in the Smithton Community where Rev. Marshall Allen is the pastor and will preach the celebration message. Active bearers of the casket will be Alfred Brown, Rodney Green, Keon Brewer, Kerry Jones, Henry Green and Roosevelt Payne. The committal service & final resting place will be in Rose Hedge cemetery.