Joyce Ferdinand Anderson, Sr.

Joyce Ferdinand Anderson, Sr. “Fred”
Our beloved Fred died peacefully at home with his wife Emily by his side. They have been married 58 years. Fred, age 80, of Valdosta, Georgia died on September 23, 2021, one day before his 81st birthday.
Fred was born in Bristol, Virginia on September 24,1940 to parents Robert Banks Anderson, Sr. and Miriam Mixson Anderson. They moved to Valdosta when Fred was a young boy. He lived life to the fullest and brought joy to those who knew him well. With a servant's heart he lived by 1 Peter 4:10: "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in various forms." He loved people and never met a stranger. Fred's passion was a love for his family and friends. His role as a father brought much love, joy and fulfillment to his wife, three sons, his extended family and to his friends. After graduating from Valdosta High School in 1958, Fred attended North Florida Junior College and Valdosta State College (now University).
Fred's employment with Mike Bajalia Realty for twenty-five years jumpstarted his fifty-two year career in property management. Fred started Fred Anderson Property Management and successfully ran it for twenty-seven years. He made many friends with his property owners and tenants. Fred's business slogan fit his quick wit and colorful personality: "If you don't pay, you don't stay!" Fred served as President of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Apartment Owners Association.
Fred and Emily loved traveling and enjoyed trips to Scotland, Ireland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New England, Alaska, Abaco, Bahamas and many cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Their traveling companions were close friends, Ann and Brad Burnette, Jane and Arthur McLane, Sue and Stanley Cox, and Cathy and Cam Hickman.
Fred was a member of the Valdosta First United Methodist Church and an active member of the Becky Anthony Sunday School Class where he served as president and auctioneer for their annual auction to raise funds for missions and other charities. The members of this class have remained special friends through the years.
Fred was a charter member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Valdosta State. He was recently awarded his 50-year service pin.
Fred grew up with three close friends who were all born within eight weeks of each other. They maintained close friendships that have lasted eighty years. They are Converse Bright, Wade Coleman, and Wilbur Warner . Each Fall the birthday boys and spouses took a celebratory trip to enjoy their friendships as devoted and loyal friends. Many trips were to Ormond Beach, FL, Highlands, NC and once to Cumberland Island. The beach and mountains were their favorite destinations.
The loyalty and friendship of special friends Dr. William (Bill) and Lou Gabard gave love, strength and support to Emily and Fred through the years. As someone once said, "That which is lovely never dies yet passes on to another loveliness." Both predeceased Fred's death.
Fred was a wonderful and loving father to his three sons Joyce Ferdinand Anderson, Jr. "Jeff" of Hollywood, Florida, Mixson Pafford Anderson (Stacy) of Winder, Georgia and Justin Shaw Anderson of Valdosta, former daughter-in-law Mandy Anderson of Dasher, GA; grandchildren John Anderson and Emily Anderson of Dasher, GA, Jackson Anderson of Chicago, IL, Garret Gruhn (John) of Monroe, Georgia, and Lindsey Scarborough of Smyrna, Georgia; two great grandchildren Lilah and Quinn Gruhn. Surviving relatives in Lakeland, Georgia are brother-in-law Loyd Shaw (Margaret Ann); sisters-in law Libby Shaw and Zellna Shaw; nieces Vicki Shaw, Pam Shaw, and Sheri Shaw; nephews Kevin Shaw (Gayla), Jason Shaw (Katie), Sam Shaw (Christa); and niece Allison Ray (Raymond) of Adel, Georgia. Fred is survived by his brother John Joseph Anderson (Sandra) of Valdosta; nephews John Jay Anderson (Lael), Rob Anderson of Gadsden, Alabama; and nieces Sissy Anderson, of Vidalia, and Courtney Crawley of Valdosta, Georgia.
Fred was predeceased by his mother and father, his brother Robert Banks Anderson, Jr. (Ernestine "Tootsie"), brothers-in-law, Jay Shaw and Charles Shaw, nephew Len Shaw and an infant son Charles Levin Anderson who died at the age of one day old in 1966.
Fred was named for his grandfather Dr. Joyce Ferdinand Mixson who practiced medicine in Valdosta for 50 years with his two sons, Dr. Harry Mixson and Dr. Joyce Mixson.
Special appreciation goes to Halcyon Hospice and Hospice of South Georgia whose special staffs gave excellent care and comfort to Fred and his family in his last year. For his last eight years of declining health, his wife Emily gave Fred loving care at their home in Valdosta assisted by three faithful sitters who helped her minister, love and care for Fred at the Anderson home: Marcy Chatman, Mary Elizabeth Page and Olivia Witten.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, September 27, 2021 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Anthony McPhail, Rev. Dr. Bob Moon, and Rev. Dr. Charles Adams officiating. A private family committal will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10-11 AM.
The family requests that memorials be made to Halcyon Hospice, 515 St. Augustine Road, Suite D, Valdosta, Georgia 31601 or Hospice of South Georgia 2263 Pineview Drive Valdosta, Georgia 31602 or Valdosta First United Methodist Church 220 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, Georgia 31601.
Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home