Shirley Ann Anderson

Shirley Oltman Anderson went to Heaven on Friday, February 14, 2025, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She was born Shirley Ann Oltman on July 23, 1934, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to parents Paul Frederick Oltman and Elizabeth “Betty” Knappen Oltman, who had her brother Paul Knappen Oltman four years later. She graduated from Grand Haven High School, attended Ripon College, and ultimately graduated from The University of Michigan with a degree in Education/Special Education. She met her Husband Robert Keith Anderson, or Bob, at the U of M, and they married on January 26,1957.

Their two sons, Christopher Paul Anderson and Mark Robert Anderson, were born in Wilmington, Delaware. The family moved to Signal Mountain, Tennessee in 1966 for Bob's job with DuPont. Daughter Elizabeth “Betsy” Lea Anderson, now Elizabeth Anderson Sheets, was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Bob and Shirley remained in their home on Signal Mountain until a move to Ascension Living Alexian Village, Signal Mountain, Tennessee, where Bob still resides. Shirley taught first grade as a newlywed and took up teaching again as a preschool teacher in 1976. She not only touched the lives of many students, particularly in her 20+ year teaching career at Signal Crest Preschool, but the lives of so many at Orange Grove Center, where son Mark was blessed for many years.

She taught many years of Sunday school and was an active member of Signal Crest United Methodist Church. She was an exceptional mother and was incredibly tireless in her care for her mentally handicapped son Mark. She also excelled as a grandmother to her four beloved grandchildren, Sarah Anderson Gill, Hunter Lee Anderson, Brinson Elizabeth Sheets, and Robert “Tommy” Thomas Sheets.

Mimi was a fun and nurturing presence in all of their lives and was always ready to play with the beloved family dogs, bake, create art, adventure in nature, sing songs, and read stories. Her three great- granddaughters, Lillian “Lilly” Raye Gill, Hallie Hunter Anderson, Eloise Kate Gill will undoubtedly enjoy her legacy as well.

Great-granddaughter Grace Gill, born sleeping, was waiting with son Mark and parents Paul and Betty to greet her Mimi in Heaven.

Survived by her husband Bob, brother Paul, children Chris (Becky) and Betsy (Tom), grandchildren Sarah, Hunter, Brinson, and Tommy, and great-grandchildren Lilly, Hallie, and Eloise, Shirley will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

Visitation will be from 1pm-3pm in the Crest center at Signal Crest United Methodist Church, with a celebration of life to follow at 3pm in the sanctuary on Sunday February 23rd.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alexian Village of Tennessee Employee Scholarship Fund at AVT Scholarship, 437 Alexian Way, Signal Mtn., TN 37377.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com

Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Rd., East Ridge, TN., has been entrusted with the arrangements.