Barbara Anderson Obituary

Ms. Anderson passed away November 1, 2024 at the age of 96. She is survived by her nieces, Andrea A. Etheridge and her husband William H., and Donna Jo Anderson. Ms. Anderson was born December 13, 1927 in Lometa, Texas to Kosciusko and Laura (Tackett) Anderson. Her older siblings (oldest to youngest) were Rexford K., Elizabeth L., Harold M. and Marion R. Anderson. The family home was the center of youth activities in Lometa, TX as her dad, who was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad, maintained a tennis court and other facilities for youth to enjoy. In 1939 the family moved to Sweetwater where she graduated from HS in 1945 and continued her education at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas, receiving a Master's Degree in Kinesiology in 1951. During those years she was a member of the TWU championship badminton team.

Ms. Anderson's teaching career began at San Angelo HS, but she soon continued at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana where she was a professor for 33 years before retirement in 1983. During her career she was the director of the university's Lionette Dance Team and in later years, appointed to serve as the very first female department head at SLU. She personally enjoyed participating in her favorite sport, competitive badminton, playing on a championship team at TWU for 3 years. "Andy" as everyone knew her, built a home in Hammond and was very active in community affairs as a City Council board member for 16 years and Kiwanis Club member serving on their Board of Directors after retirement.

In retirement, Ms. Anderson was a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. In 2000, she built a home in Sun City, Texas where she was very active in the Sun City Kiwanis Club and was a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. Barbara was also a member of the Computer Club and a vital participant in the Hearing Solutions Special Interest Group. She was admired and loved by her neighbors and friends. Ms. Anderson and her family have been faithful members of the Church of Christ since her youth. The family plans to have a private memorial for Barbara at a later date.