James Steadman Anderson

Born on July 20, 1938, in Dudley, NC to Theda Williamson and James H. Anderson. Jimmy grew up in the historic Mordecai area of Raleigh and spent many summers in Dudley farming with his Uncle Lawrence and helping his grandfather at Williamson’s Dairy. Jimmy attended Hugh Morrison high school until the 12th grade when the senior class was transferred to Broughton high school. Following high school Jimmy completed basic training at Paris Island, SC and served eight years in the Marine Reserves. Jimmy was employed at Southern Bell. While working in Charlotte he met and married Brunswick County native, Patricia Formy-Duval. Jimmy & Pat resided in Raleigh for many years where they raised their three daughters, collectively known as “the girls”. Jimmy retired from Southern Bell in 1991.

You might remember Jimmy as the man in the yellow hat or the telephone man who came to your house on Christmas day to fix your phone. He might have coached your basketball team at Southern Christian Academy or little league baseball for Parks & Rec. You might have bought silver queen corn from him at the old farmers market on Hodges Street. You could remember him from our country store, Andersons & Daughters or he might have prepared your hotdog or served you cobbler from Andersons & Daughters booth during the past 45 years at the NC State Fair. He might have won your child a stuffed animal at the fair. You could have sat across the table from him at a card game or gone hunting and fishing with him. He might have bet on a ballgame with you. He may have lent you a helping hand or taught you that the hands of many make a burden light. You might have enjoyed watching a Carolina ballgame with him. Jimmy was many things to many different people, but to us he was just Daddy and Grandpa Jimmy.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pat. Daughters: Wanda Long (Barney); Wendy Jacobs (Felton); and Melodie Goswick (Steward). Six grandchildren: Johnathan Long (Kristi); Madison Long Singletary (Kevin); Spencer Jacobs; Summer Jacobs; Jacob Goswick, and Rebecca Goswick. Four great grandchildren: Shaun Singletary, Lilli Grace Long, Hailey Singletary & Ivy Long. His sister Carolyn Eddins (Johnny). Also, Bruce Allen to whom the family will be forever grateful.

A funeral celebrating his life will be held at 1:00 pm on January 2, 2015 at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh with a burial at Raleigh Memorial Park. A visitation will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home immediately following the burial.