Susan C. Anderson

Susan Anderson, beloved mother and grandmother, passed into the arms of Jesus on October 21, 2024 in Franklin, Tennessee. She was born in Jackson, Tennessee on October 26, 1937 to the late William Reynolds Cole and Joy Hudson Cole. She was preceded in death by her brother, William R. (Bill) Cole, Jr. of Shelbyville, TN. Susan lived in Hardeman County most of her life, in Bolivar and Cloverport. She married John V. Anderson, Jr. in August 1955 and they soon moved to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee together. It wasn’t long before family obligations brought them home to west TN.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, John, and their children, Ellen Anderson of Jasper, TN., Sarah Kilgore (Ben) of Franklin, TN., Laura Pewitt (Brent) of Shelbyville, TN. and Mark Anderson (Becky) of Jackson, TN. Susan and John have nine grandchildren and eleven great-children. Her grandchildren are Joy Davis Mullis (Eric) of Charlotte, NC., Rebecca Greer (Steve) of Chattanooga, TN., Julianna Rochelle (Clay) of Spring Hill, TN., Cole Kilgore (Jennifer) of Thompson’s Station, TN., Mathias Anderson (Alison) of Smithville, TN., Myles Anderson (Samantha) of Columbia, TN., Grace Anderson (soon-to-be bride of Hayden Foster) of Murfreesboro, TN., Sam Anderson of Jackson, TN., and Susan Hunt (Aden) of Wheaton, Ill. Her great-grandchildren are Margaret and Anna Greer, Ethan Mullis, James and Ella Kilgore, Severin, Elsie and Emmie Kate Anderson, Tucker and Collin Anderson and Zac Rochelle.

Susan had many interests and loves besides her big family, whom she adored. She was a lifelong Presbyterian. She grew up in First Presbyterian of Jackson and was active as a Sunday school teacher, Elder and Clerk of Session in the Bolivar Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Later in life, she and John returned to her childhood church home of First Presbyterian Jackson, where she continued her service of Bible study leader and active member. She was a bookkeeper for Anderson Tractor Co. for a time and also kept books for the family farm. She was a member of DAR and Colonial Dames; a favorite hobby was family history and genealogy. Susan volunteered for many years at Western Mental Health Institute and as a result of that service, she was appointed to the State Board of Trustees for the Department of Mental Health and served in that position for 17 years. She also volunteered for many years as a worker with the voting process of Hardeman county and served as one of Tennessee’s eleven Electors to the Republican National Convention. She was named Seventh District Statesman of the Year. She was active in Girl Scouts for many years as a leader and board member. As a true old-fashioned Girl Scout, she could have been a logistics expert with her attention to detail, efficiency and organization. She loved to cook, bake and care for her large family and one of her favorite activities was to enjoy a University of Tennessee football game on a beautiful Fall Saturday afternoon with her family. Susan had traveled to Scotland, Switzerland and other countries in Europe. Montreat, NC was an especially beloved retreat, as well as family beach vacations with all the grands and great-grands. Susan will be greatly missed by her loving family, many friends and acquaintances, old and new.

Visitation will be at Shackelford Funeral Home in Bolivar on Sunday, October 27 from 4 - 7. A private family burial will be Monday, October 28 at Vernon Cemetery in Cloverport. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, TN., also on Monday, at 2:00. The Reverend John White will officiate. Memorials in Susan’s memory can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1573 North Highland Avenue Jackson, TN. 38301 OR Vernon Cemetery Charitable Trust, West TN Bank P.O. Box 366 Henderson, TN 38340

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Rev. 22:13