Anita Joan Anderson

Anita Joan Anderson was born in Wichita, Kansas on September 24, 1931, to Ralph Mauer Anderson and Anne Mae Walton Anderson. Her father was from a long line of Scots who came to America in 1720. Her mother came from a long line of Englishmen, arriving in America in 1620 on the Mayflower. She would have two brothers, Ralph Mauer Jr. and Gary Richmond. At the age of three, her family moved to Los Angeles, California. She would grow up between there and visits with Aunt Ivah in Kansas. During one of those visits her life changed forever. Aunt Ivah decided Anita should go to church. She dropped off a very shy 10-year-old at a church on Sunday. The result was that she came home a Christian, a daughter of the King, whom she served for the next 80 years. It was God who looked after her as life progressed. Aunt Ivah assured grandma that Anita should attend Faith Bible Academy in Missouri for the last few years of her high school career. Anita always said this time was precious because it was the first time she got to study the Bible. It also was the place where she met a young man, Clifford Anderson, who came to the school to say goodbye to his two sisters before he left for Japan. The two talked, shared a candy bar, and exchanged addresses. After almost three years of letters, they became engaged. A train trip in 1952 to Beresford, South Dakota brought them to the Evangelical Free Church where they were united in marriage by Cliff's father, Rev. Clifford A. Anderson. His mother, Dorothy, played the organ, and his sister sang two songs. Married life began in the L.A. area where their first child was born, Dorothy Ann. She was later joined by three siblings: Brian Timothy, Terry Richmond, and Elizabeth Diane. They moved to San Luis Obispo when Cliff enrolled in Cal Poly. After graduation Cliff was hired by Bank of America. After a year in San Francisco, they moved to various Valley towns, finally settling on a farm between Hanford and Kingsburg when Cliff went to work as a manager for Producer's Cotton Oil Company. They were both active serving at the Kingsburg Evangelical Free Church. During this time Anita drove many times each day to town for school events, for sporting events, for church events, for social events and 4H events. Her children grew up and graduated and were always grateful for her efforts to allow them to pursue their dreams. After retirement they traveled and often took the opportunity to visit extended family. They also continued to serve both adults and children at the Mennonite Brethren Church in Reedley. In 2013 Cliff passed away and Anita entered her last season of life. She spent the next ten years enjoying family and welcoming new great grandchildren. On June 16, 2023, Anita passed away to join her loved ones, especially her beloved Cliff. She is survived by a brother, Gary Anderson (Mary), sister-in-law Gayle McCutchen, children Dorothy Crass (Jeff), Brian Anderson (Shannon), Terry Anderson (Debby), Beth Stair (Todd), 12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Graveside services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, July 14th, 2023 at Kingsburg Cemetery, 12782 E. Clarkson Avenue, Kingsburg. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Anita Joan Anderson

September 24, 1931 - June 16, 2023