Thomas Anderson

Thomas Roland Anderson, 87, of Seneca, SC, went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, after suffering with lewy body dementia. He was born into this earthly life on March 30, 1934, in Dayton, OH, the son of James Alexander and Gertrude (Tietzman) Anderson.

Tom had many serious eye problems starting at age 2, but God was faithful and brought him through these difficult times. He graduated from Oakwood High School, attended Miami University in Ohio and St. Paul Bible College in Minnesota. He celebrated his spiritual birth, which was December 3, 1953, and loved to talk about the Lord. Tom also had a love for antique cars and music—playing the organ, violin, and trumpet.

Tom operated the computer for the payroll at Delco Products in Dayton, OH, for several years. While going legally blind, he bought a Model T Ford and restored it, took up organ playing, and painting pictures. He gave away many paintings as gifts as well as painting by commission. In 1969 he had cataract surgery and regained his sight. In the fall of the same year, they moved to Elida, Ohio. While there he tried his hand at construction, but ended up being a chicken farmer. In 1979 they moved to Virginia where Tom worked as an artist at Christian Light Publications. After they moved to South Carolina in 1985, he illustrated a 4th Grade English book for Rod and Staff Publishers in Crockett, KY. He also volunteered at local food banks, sorted and packed clothes for Romania, led singing at church, and was a Gideon speaker.

Tom married the love of his life, Ella Johnston, June 14, 1956 in Richey, Montana.

Besides his wife of 65 years, he is survived by his daughter Martha and husband Gaylord Mullet of Seneca, SC; sons: Timothy and wife Sue of McGaheysville, VA; Stephen and wife Violet of Rochelle, VA; John Mark and wife Evangeline of Amherst, VA; 10 grandsons: Michael Mullet and wife Lavonda, Jason Anderson and wife Marissa, Luke Anderson and wife Sarah, Kenneth Anderson and wife Estalee, Edward Anderson and wife Rhonda, Donald Anderson and wife Eunice, Joel Anderson, Micah Anderson and wife Marlese, Charles Anderson, and Aaron Anderson;
10 granddaughters: Charissa Miller and husband Darin, Deanna Overholt and husband Carlton, Phyllis Anderson, Vanessa Anderson, Fiona Anderson, Norah Funk and husband Carlson, Elya Miller and husband Kyle, Ashlie Mullet, Jana Anderson, and Margaret Anderson; 26 great-grandchildren; 2 foster granddaughters; 3 nephews: James, Carl, and Paul (Shari) Kienzle; and 3 great-nieces.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Martha and brother-in-law Robert Kienzle, and a grandson Peter Anderson.

Services will be held at Foothills Fellowship Church, Westminster, SC, at 10:00am, Monday, August 23, with the ministry officiating, with burial to follow at the Foothills Fellowship Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Sunday, August 22nd, 2021 at the Foothills Fellowship Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214 and Christian Aid Ministries, PO Box 360, Berlin, OH 44610.

Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com.