Leona Renee Anderson

Passed 03/29/2024

Obituary For Leona Renee Anderson

On Good Friday, March 29, 2024, Leona Renée Anderson departed this realm to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Leona fought, quite strongly, an unfairly intense battle with cancer, professing “I choose life” to the very end.

Anderson was raised in Hot Springs, Virginia in the picturesque Allegheny Mountains, as the quiet and observant member of a large, boisterous family. In high school, she quickly garnered a reputation as an astute scholar, finishing as salutatorian of the Bath County High School class of 1982. One of her teachers was so impressed, he taught from Leona’s notebook until his retirement.

Leona attended the University of Virginia where she studied psychology. She fostered a career centered in wisdom, administrative genius, and fiscal responsibility. She worked in the banking industry for many years before transitioning into full-time ministry. Leona had a passion for travel and serving communities in mission work–including service trips to Guatemala, Venezuela, and Oaxaca, Mexico. She especially loved working with children. The highlight of her career included serving an international ministry that led her to Zimbabwe, where she lived for three years. At the time of her passing, Leona served as assistant dean to Faith Landmarks Bible Institute’s international schools.

Leona loved authentic Mexican cuisine and her own enchilada recipe was out of this world. Like her father, Leona had a tenacity for solving logic problems and complex puzzles. She was a prolific jigsaw puzzle enthusiast and also enjoyed board games. In this regard, her family is indebted to her for always reading the instructions and fine print and for her shrewdness as the elected Monopoly banker. Most of all, Leona will be remembered for her quiet and humble servitude, her dedication to following and serving her God, and for demonstrating God’s love to his people.

Ms. Anderson is preceded in death by her father Roger Algernon Anderson who passed away in 2014. She is survived by a host of loving family members including her mother, Janice D. Anderson of Hot Springs, Virginia; five sisters: Jane D. Green of Las Vegas, Nevada; Sandra D. Anderson of Los Angeles, California; Leona’s caretaker, Vivian M. Bedford (Daniel, Jr.) of Richmond Virginia; Pamela E. Anderson of Dallas, Texas; and Rachel A. Watts (Alexander) of Petersburg, Virginia; and two brothers: Roger A. Anderson II of Hot Springs, Virginia; and Michael “Mick” Anderson of Durham, North Carolina. Leona and her family claim beloved neighbor, Jerrila Adderton Paul of Louisville, Kentucky, as sister, too. Ms. Anderson was the aunt to a niece and four nephews: Nicole Kinnane (Callum); Isaac Watts; Bryce Bedford; Elwynn Wheeler; and Justin Bedford.

A homegoing celebration will take place at 11 AM on Tuesday, April 9th at Scott's Chapel 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd; Richmond, VA 23222.