Betty Joanne Anderson

October 10, 1936 – January 23, 2017

Betty Joanne (McKelvey) Anderson, 80, of Sun Lakes, Arizona passed away on January 23, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 30, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Chandler with Pastor Kevin Fryrear officiating. Interment will occur on a future date at Valley of the Sun Cemetery in Chandler. Arrangements are by Valley of the Sun Mortuary.

Betty was born in Detroit, Michigan to Johanna McGinley and Glen Ray McKelvey on October 10, 1936. She grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania under the care of her grandmother, Fannie McKelvey. She attended Hollywood High School in California for a short time before moving to Arizona to graduate from Tucson High School.

After graduating, Betty’s friends – Beverley Kadel and Scott Anderson – set her up on a blind date. Shortly afterwards, she married the love of her life, Clifford Wayne Anderson in 1956 in Tucson, Arizona. She then moved with Cliff to North Carolina while he finished up his tour with the U.S. Marines. Afterwards, they moved back to Arizona to raise their three sons – Andy, Clifford and Donald.

The family resided in Tucson, Fort Grant, Chandler and Sun Lakes. Betty and Cliff were blessed to raise their sons amongst cherished family members: Uncle Chuck and Aunt Dorothy Brooks, Aunt Ruth McKelvey, and Cousins Dorothy, Margaret, and Paula.

Betty worked a variety of professions in Arizona, which included running a post office in Fort Grant, before becoming a bank teller at First American Bank in Chandler. Upon her retirement, Betty took a part time clerical position at the American Bicycle Association in Gilbert.

Betty is survived by her husband, Clifford Anderson; her children Andy and wife Maria Collea-Anderson, Clifford and wife Tiffany Anderson, Donald and wife Christina Anderson; daughter-in-law, Sylvia Anderson; grandchildren Lauren and Zach Feinberg, Rochelle and Elizabeth Anderson, Noelle, Clifford (CJ) and fiancé Amanda (Griffin), James, Holly and Adam Anderson, Joseph, Joshua and Donald Anderson; great grandchildren Aiden and Amelia; sister and brother-in-law Janet and Joe Dellifranci; half-brother and sister-in law Bill and Bonnie Watson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Scott and Beverley Anderson; Uncle Gene and Aunt Shirley McKelvey; beloved cousins Dorothy and Joe Ramsey, Margaret and Nick Gemrose, and Paula and Mark Ackerman.

Betty experienced a wonderfully colorful and adventurous life. Her fiery personality left an impression on all of whom she met. She will be greatly missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, Chandler, AZ.