James Monroe Anderson

James Monroe Anderson, 90, of Pine Bluff, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2019. He was born May 13, 1929, in Woodlawn to the late Elbert and Rachael Dixie Reed Anderson. Mr. Anderson was reared and educated in Woodlawn and was a graduate of Woodlawn High School. He served in the US Army, Navy and Merchant Marines during World War II and the Korean Conflict, then went to work as a firefighter for the Pine Bluff Fire Department and worked there until his retirement. Mr. Anderson was a member of Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher and a deacon. He taught Children's Church and Sunday School for years, and also volunteered at Pine Bluff area nursing homes leading services and Bible studies. Mr. Anderson loved reading the Bible, teaching about Jesus and preaching to anyone who wanted to learn. He truly had a servant's heart. He was also an avid runner and painted a lot of houses in Pine Bluff. Also preceding him in death were a grandson, Phillip John Mooney; his stepmother, Gennie Belle Anderson; son-in-law, Michael Johnston; two brothers, Jewel Anderson and John Anderson; and three sisters, Eva Walker, Willie Mae Stenfors and Josephine Raymond. Survivors include his wife, Rachel Mary Bates Anderson, whom he married December 15, 1955; two daughters, Cheryl (John) Mooney of Prattsville, and Carol Ann Johnston of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Traci Abell (Marley), Andrea Sullivan (Jeremy), Erin Coleman (Seth), and Ryan Johnston (Stephanie); and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, August 8, 2019, at Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. John Mooney officiating. Burial will be in Philadelphia Cemetery at Prattsville. Visitation will be Thursday from 12:30-1:30 p.m.at the church. Online condolences at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.