The Life of Dr. Sanders Anderson, Jr.
Dr. Sanders Anderson, Jr. was the fifth child born to Sanders Anderson, Sr. and Clara Alexander Anderson on February 27, 1946 in Desoto Parish (Mansfield) Louisiana.
Dr. Sanders Anderson, Jr. was a retired Associate Professor in the Barbara Jordan-George “Mickey” Leland School of Public Affairs. He taught courses in American Government, International Politics and American Foreign Policy. He graduated from Southern University (B.A., in 1968) and was drafted and served two years in the United States Army. One year of active duty as a Mechanized Infantryman in Vietnam. Upon returning from the Military he continued his education from Atlanta University receiving a (M.A., 1973, and a PhD, 1981). He was Director of the Frederick Douglass Honors Program from 1994-2002. Dr. Anderson served as Chair of the Texas Southern University Faculty Assembly. He also served as President of the National Association of African American Honors Program. It was a part of the Thurgood Marshall Honors Fund. He coedited Readings in American Political Issues and contributed an article entitled “The Quality of Education of the African Americans in Houston” for the NAACP’s report Houston: Where We Are. Besides having served at Texas Southern University for twenty eight (28) years, he taught at several colleges and universities. He taught at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., West Virginia State College, in Institute West Virginia and Xavier University in New Orleans, La. He has also been an adjunct Professor of Government at HCC Central.
Dr. Anderson has been active in Houston community politics. He served on the Mayor’s Red Ribbon Committee on the Houston Fire Department. He also served on the Advisory Board of the Fair Campaign Practices Commission of the League of Women’s Voters. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Houston World Affairs Council. He also did election analyses for FOX 26 news for the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Presidential elections. Dr. Anderson has also analyzed local elections for Fox 26. Before moving to Fox 26 he was political analyst for channel 13 for ten years. He wrote articles for the Houston Defender and the Houston Sun. In addition, he has been quoted in the Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, San Antonio Star and the Washington Post.
He also offered commentary on American Foreign Policy and International Affairs on KTSU radio for many years. He was a political analyst for Channel 26 (Fox TV) during the war on Iraq. Dr. Anderson served as Political Analysis for the 2009 mid-term election for NBC affiliate channel 2. He continued to give regularly commentary on political affairs for those stations and ABC 13. Dr. Anderson has also been a contributor for PBS stations channel 8 and 88.7 FM. Dr. Anderson was Vice Chair for the Houston Ebony Music Society. It is the parent body of the Houston Ebony Opera Guild.
On August 31, 2008 he married Sylvia Bennett Reece Anderson and together they have five children; Imani Anderson James, Kwame Anderson, Donnell Reece, Danyelle Reece, and Darcyelle Reece Nicholson.
He leaves to cherish his memory; his beloved wife Sylvia Bennett Reece Anderson; (5) children; Imani Anderson James (Mark), Kwame Anderson (Sara), Donnell Reece, Danyelle Reece and Darcyelle Reece Nicholson (Carl); (2) sisters; Bettie Burns of San Francisco, California and Jo Ann Anderson of Stockton, California, (7) grandchildren; Reece Collins, Isabella Anderson, Oliver Anderson, Celine Nicholson, Colli Nicholson, Carl Nicholson, III., and Cartier Nicholson and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by the mother of his children, Marquita Walker Anderson, his father Mr. Sanders Anderson, Sr. his mother Mrs. Clara Alexander Anderson, (3) brothers; Lee Arthur Anderson, O. C. Anderson, and Robert Anderson.
A funeral service for Sanders will be held Friday, August 13, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Lilly Grove MBC, 7034 Tierwester Street, Houston, TX 77021. A committal service will occur Friday, August 13, 2021 from 1:45 PM to 2:00 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10401 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A visitation will occur Friday, August 13, 2021 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM, 7034 Tierwester Street, Houston, TX 77021.
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