Elida Rodriguez Anderson

Elida Rodriquez Anderson died peacefully on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at the age of 91, at her daughter’s home in Austin, Texas. She was born in Laredo, Texas on December 17, 1933, the second of eight children born to José and Concepción (Cantú) Rodriguez and baptized in the Roman Catholic Church on July 15, 1934. She married Glen Anderson on March 29, 1955 and had three children: Patricia, Richard, and Randall. During their marriage, Glen was active military, causing them to travel and live in many places including Okinawa; Little Rock, AR; Oklahoma City, OK; and Laredo, TX.

Affectionately called Ellie by many friends and family members, she was a loving mother who delighted in hosting holiday feasts. She had a reputation for the best potato salad, chicken salad, and rum cake in Texas, and could prepare quantities that could feed a small army at a moment’s notice.

Elida held a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s degree in Bilingual Education from Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas. She taught elementary and middle school students for many years at United Consolidated School District (Laredo) and Austin Independent School District, specializing in math and science. In retirement, she would occasionally run into a former student who remembered her fondly and would tell her how meaningful she was to them in their early school years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Glen Irving Anderson, their son Richard Glen Anderson, her parents, her brother Roberto and her sisters Gloria Harris and Angie Kasperkoski. She is survived by her daughter Patricia Anderson Hooks and son Randall Anderson, seven grandchildren: Casey Anderson (Savannah), Cassandra Anderson, Caitlyn Anderson, John Anderson, Sandy Anderson, Christina Hooks Rosa (Adam), Allison Hooks and four great grandchildren: Glen Anderson, Henry Anderson, Addison Rosa, and Aiden Rosa.

Special thanks and love to her sisters Maria “Cookie” R. Heaberlin, Irma Reyna, Virginia Flores and brother Jose´ Rodriguez, Jr. for their love and support for Ellie as she experienced the degenerative conditions of Parkinson’s and dementia. Patricia also wishes to thank attendant Glenda Mitchell who lovingly cared for “Mamma” for the last two years.

The family suggests memorial contributions in Elida’s honor to EveryChild (https://everychildtexas.org/), Hospice Austin ( https://www.hospiceaustin.org/ ), or the charity of your choice.

A visitation for Elida will be held Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, Texas 78731. A rosary service will occur Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, Texas 78731. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, Texas 78731. A graveside service will occur Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209.