Annie Murrel (Shepherd) Anderson

Annie Murrel Anderson was born to Reverend Alexander and Myrtle Shepherd on February 14, 1945, in Marion, Texas. She was the middle child of five with an older sister, Marie Weekly, an older brother, Alexander Shepherd Jr. and two younger siblings in Sandra Bates and Ronnie Shepherd. She graduated top of her class at age 16 from Marion High School in 1961 and later got her Bachelor of Science degrees in both Physics and Chemistry at Texas A&I, now Texas A&M – Kingsville in Kingsville, Texas.

She started her professional career as a medical assistant before teaching Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics at Victoria High School for over 30 years before retiring in 2007. She was united in Holy Matrimony to George Henry Anderson in 1966 and three children were born to this union: Derek Anderson, Ja’net Dionne Anderson, and Kelly Anderson.

Annie loved her children with all her heart. Although she lost Ja’net at birth, she never stopped loving her as she loved all her children equally. Her passions in life were cooking, baking, and teaching. And even though she wasn’t a big sports fan, she loved watching the Dallas Cowboys with her sons and laughing as they danced after each touchdown they scored.

But she also had a strong love for the Lord. She was an active member at St. Peter’s Baptist Church when she moved to Victoria, Texas under the leadership of Rev. J. S. Smith and later Rev. J.W. Theus. While there, she was the Junior Mission President for St. Peter’s and Mt. Zion District, Director for Vacation Bible School, Youth BTU Director, worked in the Youth Department as a Youth teacher and the Mt. Zion District Youth Council, served as Pastor’s secretary, was a part of the kitchen committee, and various other ministries.

When she retired from teaching, she moved to Georgetown, Texas in 2008 to be closer to her sons. To help keep her active, she was a substitute teacher for various high schools in the Austin area and would cook and bake for anyone who asked her to. She was excellent at all three. She immediately joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Richard E. Carter where she would serve as one of the leaders of Vacation Bible School, the President of the Grief Ministry, and a regular attendee of Sunday School.

However, after the unexpected loss of her oldest son, Derek, in March of 2020 she became ill and eventually needed constant care to help with her daily tasks. God saw that Annie was weary and did what He thought was best when He called her come on October, 31st 2026.

Annie leaves to cherish her memory her son, Kelly Delawrence Anderson; her grandsons: Derek Anderson Jr., Devin Anderson, Dylan Anderson, her granddaughter, Breanna Anderson, her sister, Marie Weekly, and sister Sandra Bates. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.

Annie was blessed to have friends, former students, loving neighbors, family members, and fellow church members to check in on her to help see to her needs or to simply keep her company. We are also forever grateful to all the staff at both Parmer Woods North Austin and Sundara Senior Living in Round Rock for their love and care of Annie.

Annie was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, her son Derek and her daughter, Ja’net.