Naomi Kathryn Anderson of St. Helena Island SC passed away peacefully on October 22, 2015. She was 80 years old.
She was born October 18, 1935 in Centre, Alabama to the late Byron and Kate Stanley. She grew up surrounded by extended family members in the close knit farming community. She had fond memories of picking cotton, riding the family mule, swimming with cousins, and cheerleading for Centre High School. She was full of life and mischief. She graduated with a major in music from East Tennessee State University. She was first chair violin in the orchestra despite the fact that she preferred to play by ear and embellished as she saw fit.
After graduation she was the Women’s Director at the Portsmouth Men’s YMCA. She enjoyed teaching swimming and coaching the swim team. She then moved on to teach 6th grade at Little Creek School. She met her future husband Hugh F. Anderson and they were married April 25 1959. As a Marine Corp couple they spent the next 5 years stationed across the country while starting their family.
After leaving the service, they settled in Flemington NJ. Naomi shared her passion for children and music through participation in the Flemington Baptist Church children’s music programs and substitute teaching in the public elementary school. She also had a lifelong love of swimming. She spearheaded the beginning of a winter swim clinic for the summer swimmers in Flemington.
18 years later the family relocated to Elizabeth City, NC where they lived for the next 23 years. During that time, Naomi continued to teach Sunday school, lead children’s musicals and sing in the God Squad of the First United Methodist Church. She taught WSI and lifesaving at College of the Albemarle as well as Elizabeth City State University. She also coached the local chapter of the Special Olympic Swim Team, taking multiple swimmers to the State Games over the years. She developed a passion for golf and began to hone her game at the Pine Lakes Country Club.
In 2006 Naomi and Andy moved to Dataw Island Club in SC. She continued to play golf with the 9 hole ladies golf group and participated in the island book club. She and Andy were active in various Island Friends groups. She doted on her seven grandchildren, watching many baseball, basketball and soccer games as well as attending dance recitals, plays, and choral concerts.
Naomi never met a stranger. She was a friend to the downtrodden and a cheerleader for her family and friends all of her life. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Hugh (Andy) Anderson, sister Mary Owens of Centre AL, daughter Beth Uberseder (Fred) of Lewisville, NC; daughter Kate Lea Anderson of San Rafael, CA; son Rob Anderson (Carolyn) of Chesterfield VA; and daughter Jody Wandscher (Chris) of Wilson, NC. Grandchildren Lauren Hackney (Ben), Matt ,Joe,and Sam Uberseder; Emma and Claire Wandscher and Tra My Anderson. She will also never be forgotten by her many beloved nieces,nephews and their children.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Fairview United Methodist Church in Centre AL on November 7th 2015 at 10:00. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Fairview United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 230 Co Rd 26, Centre, AL 35960.
Present Church Membership Sea Island Presbyterian.
Perry Funeral Home directing, www.perryfuneral.net