Rena was born in Fackler, Alabama to the late C. H. and Mary Nell Proctor Matthews. She attended Samford University and received her B. S. degree in secondary education from UTC in 1976. Rena retired from TVA in 1990. Rena was a devoted member of Red Bank Baptist Church where she loved singing in the choir and being a member of the Prime Time Singers and Senior Ensemble. She loved to travel with her husband and they have been to 49 of the 50 states, the British Isles, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland.
She was preceded in death by three siblings, Proctor Matthews, Howard Matthews, and Doris Matthews.
Rena is survived by her husband of over 65 years, James H. Anderson; children, Randy (Vivian) Anderson, Debbie (Darryl) Everett, and Denise (Michael) Stephens; 5 grandchildren, Stephanie (Garry) Mosier, Kevin Anderson, Heather (Jake) Schweich, Joshua Everett, and Lauren (A.J.) Dulay; 10 great grandchildren; brother, Reverend Jerry T. (Carroll) Matthews; many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Darrell Johnson and the staff of Tennessee Oncology, Memorial Oncology, and Parkridge Chemo Outpatient for the love and care given to Rena.
The family will receive friends from 12 (noon) to 2:30 pm on Tuesday, January 1, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life service for Rena will follow at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Dr. Fred Steelman and Rev. Bill Harvey officiating. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rena’s name to MDS Foundation, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or Red Bank Baptist Church International Missions.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
