Gertrude Anderson

WILSON - Gertrude Bierwagen Anderson, 90, died Saturday, May 14, 2011.

Funeral, Sunday, 2 PM, Wilson Memorial Service, followed by a time of visiting. Interment, Maplewood Cemetery.

With her family at her side at death it brought to closure a beautiful life of family, church, civic and professional service.

She was born February 14, 1921 in New Leizig, ND, and the youngest of ten children. She moved to Sacramento, CA, to work for Bank of America and while there met and married Sgt. Henry Guy Anderson, the love of her life. Twins, Kent and Kathy, were born there before the family returned to Henry's hometown of Wilson where the youngest child, Sally, was born. One year later Henry was killed in an auto accident.

Realizing there was a family to raise, she joined R. P. Watson Tobacco Company and retired 30 years later as Assistant Vice-President. While working full time and raising her three children, she earned a BS degree in Business Administration from Atlantic Christian College (Barton) graduating Summa Cum Laude.

She has served in the Wilson County Alumni of Atlantic Christian College and was a past president, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, Business and Professional Woman's Club where she was a past president and held several district offices, past president of the Altrusa Club and the AARP, Wilson Woman's Club where she chaired the Bridge department. She was a long time member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church where she was a Sunday School teacher and choir member.

Her love for bridge, music and volunteer service brought her in connect with even more people. She played bridge with many and especially enjoyed playing at the Senior Center. She enjoyed singing with the Wilson Chorale and the First United Methodist Church Choir. Her talents as a soloist were enjoyed by many. She volunteered at the Soup Kitchen, the Intensive Care Waiting Room at Wilson Medical Center and was a Cub Scout Den Mother.

Surviving is her son, Dr. Kent T. Anderson (Peggy) of Wilson, Katherine "Kathy" Vaughan (Bill) of Wilson and Sally Parks (James) of Newport; grandchildren, Tripp Vaughan, Natalie A. Corbett (Will), Kara V. Borders, Beth A. Perkins (Walter); great-grandchildren, Stella Borders, Abby and Ben Corbett; sister-in-law, Peggy Hedgepeth Anderson of Wilson; two nieces and two nephews.

Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church Music Department, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894.