Magnolia Anderson

Obituary For Magnolia Anderson

Magnolia Anderson of Goodman, MS was born June 26, 1917 to Northern Peppers and Eva Bell Lloyd Peppers.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Koinonia Baptist Church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., Koinonia Baptist Church, 4936 Clinton Blvd., Jackson, MS 39209 with burial in Garden Memorial Park, 8001 Highway 49, Jackson, MS 39209.

Magnolia Peppers Anderson was born to Northern and Eve Belle Lloyd Peppers on June 26, 1917, in Goodman, Mississippi. Because her mother passed away when she was only four years old, she was raised primarily by her father and her grandfather in rural Holmes County. She married G. P. Garland, and in 1936 gave birth to her first son, Gary. Her husband passed away while Gary was still an infant, and eventually, he and Maggie moved to Jackson. Eventually she took her son to Detroit, Michigan, and New York City in her quest to find a permanent home. Along the way her charismatic personality led her to meet people with whom she would make lifelong alliances. Magnolia finally settled in Seattle, Washington, in the early 1950’s where she married Howard Anderson, a member of the U. S. Army from Jackson, MS, who was stationed there. Military life with Howard took them across the United States from Seattle to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she gave birth to another son, Howard Anderson, Jr. Within the United States, the Andersons were stationed in Oklahoma, Alaska, El Paso, Texas, and Alabama, where Magnolia always established herself at a local church and became involved in community activities with other military wives. Outside of the U S, they served in Germany. Living overseas offered Magnolia the opportunity to see and experience not only Germany, but France, Belgium, and other European sites. Military life also required that she ‘hold down the fort’ alone to raise Howard, Jr. while her husband was sent to Korea for tours of duty. In 1976, upon Howard’s retirement from the Army, the Andersons moved to Jackson, MS. In her travels Magnolia remained close to her relatives, as well as to the numerous friends she had made as an Army wife. Magnolia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, advisor, and friend. She was an excellent cook and housekeeper who was always kind to those who entered her home. She was of service to others whenever it was necessary to do so, and she gave generously of her time to the church. She served her family, friends, community and church until her health declined, and prevented the same. Even in the last days of her 105 years, though she could no longer see nor hear clearly, Magnolia’s friends and relatives visited her frequently or spoke on the phone with her. She will be missed. She was predeceased by her husband Howard Anderson, Sr., brother Northern Peppers, Jr., sisters Mary L. Carr, Ruth Holston and Henrene Edwards. She leaves to mourn her loving presence a son, Howard Anderson, Jr. and wife Susan of Chattanooga, TN, stepdaughter Floretta Anderson, Jackson, MS, grandsons Daryl Garland, Tigard, OR; Alan Garland, San Francisco, CA; Martin Garris, Maryland; Howard Anderson III, Athens, GA; great grandchildren Xavier, Novien and Jordan Garland; Martin, Jr., Paris, and Micayla Garris; great-great grandchildren C J, and Berkleigh Moon. She is also survived by brothers Frank Peppers and wife Lois of Ohio; Larry Peppers, of Mississippi; and John Peppers and wife Janet of Louisiana; and many other family and friends. Special blessings to her caregiver and confidante, Margie Butler, RN.