Edward Anderson, 81, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Friday, August 25, 2017, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Sunday, August 27, 2017 at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with Dr. David Drake officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Sunday.
Mr. Anderson was born September 16, 1935, in Lowndes County, Georgia, to the late Rubin & Hattie Mae Williams Anderson. He served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. He often spoke fondly of his time stationed in Paris, France. Mr. Anderson started his career early as a meat cutter, opening stores throughout Florida for Grand Union. He spent most of his life in Lake Worth, Florida, where he owned and operated a successful business, Anderson's Quality Meats, with his wife Barbara and eldest daughter, Jennifer, for over 30 years. He took pride in his work and was a mentor to many. Over the years, Mr. Anderson invested in several real estate ventures, leading to his youngest daughter Maria’s career of over 25 years in property management and development, following her graduation from Furman University. During his time in West Palm Beach, FL, Mr. Anderson was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the West Palm Beach Shriners Motor Corps. He and his wife moved to Fitzgerald in 2004. Then, in 2011, along with his grandson, Phillip, he established A & J “Soon to be Famous” BBQ, which is now managed by Phillip and his mother, Jennifer. He enjoyed cooking for family and friends. He took great pleasure in rocking his grandsons as babies and later teaching them how to fish. He loved traveling across this great country in his motorhome, with his wife as his co-pilot, and whoever else wanted to join them. He was of the Christian faith, attending the Church of the Nazarene after moving to Fitzgerald.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara Couch Anderson of Fitzgerald; two daughters: Jennifer Elaine Anderson of Fitzgerald and Maria Anderson Grizzell and her husband Bryan Grizzell of Atlanta; two grandchildren: Phillip Edward Johnson (33) and Gavin Anderson Grizzell (7) of Atlanta; a great-grandson, Gage Connor Johnson (2) and his mother Morgan Blackstock; a brother, Charles Anderson and two sisters, Vannie Wetherington and Barbara Williamson, all of Florida. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Rubin Anderson, Jr. and Raymond Anderson and a sister, Joan Clark.