Elder Charles Davis Anderson, age 87 of Bedford, departed this life on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. He was born on February 28, 1935 to the late William Henry Anderson and Clara Bond Anderson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Freddie Rose Anderson; grandchild Sheila Saraus; son Moses Gerald Anderson; his sisters Annie A. Blake, Ruby A. Blake and Dorothy A. Browley; brother Louis E. Anderson.

Elder Anderson joined the United States Army in 1956. After joining the Army, he took a set of bible studies from a friend. Then, he was baptized in Kansas City, Kansas at a Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1957. After Elder Anderson left the Army, he joined the Macedonia Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Roanoke, VA. While attending an Adventist Youth service he met the love of his life Freddie Rose Nelms. They were married on December 22, 1967.

Elder Anderson helped established The Smyrna Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Lynchburg, VA under Elder Rainey. He believed in Evangelism and he worked in church tent effort. He was an ordained Elder in Smyrna S.D.A. Church, Sabbath School Teacher, Personal Ministries. Elder Anderson assisted with vacation Bible School and he supported the Youth Ministries.

Elder Anderson was employed at the Elks National Home from 1957 to 2000. He enjoyed reading, drawing artistic sketches and working in his garden.

He is survived by his children Rosemary Anderson, David Anderson (Carolyn), Rebecca Saraus and Joy Anderson; two grandchildren Davina Anderson and Chelsia Joy Anderson; great grandchild Adora Jackson; other relatives and friends.

Afterglow

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo whispering soft through the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.