Lela Turnage Anderson

Lela Turnage Anderson went to be with her Savior on January 22, 2015. She was born, November 26, 1923, in New Hebron, Mississippi to William and Lela Shivers Turnage. She spent all of her growing up years on a large property, which was farmed by her father. She loved roaming the woods, making mud pies, and had many fond memories playing under the trees at what her family affectionately called “The Old Place”. In later years this family home property was to become her spouse’s outdoor man cave and they spent hours blazing trails for the grandchildren and fishing in the pond. She had two older brothers, who doted on her extensively. She always wanted to be on the honor roll at school and did quite well but her love of talking caused her to receive a negative mark on deportment. She left home upon graduation to attend Copiah Lincoln College and after a year transferred to what was Jackson Commercial College. She was among the first class of key punch operators in Jackson. It took quite a bit of persuading for her to talk her Daddy into letting her come to the big city of Jackson but she was allowed to come and live with her Aunt Amanda on Northwest Street in Jackson. During the war years she was very popular with the fighting men and loved the social aspect of living in the big city.

She married James Farris in 1944 and they operated a successful typewriting repair business for some years. She became a widow with two children in 1957. She was in the first class of lady crossing guards hired by the city of Jackson. She also worked traffic at the State Fair and at football games at Jackson Memorial Stadium. At one point she was approached by the school principal where she worked and asked to become cafeteria cashier. Though she enjoyed both part-time jobs, this caused some confusion among some of the school children, who would see her both outside the school and inside the school working. She remarried in 1959 to Oliver Anderson, a First National Bank employee, which later became Trustmark. They met at Providence Presbyterian Church (PCA), which was named Westminster Presbyterian Church at that time. Many people told Lela that she brought the fun out in Oliver. They had 45 wonderful years together. Upon retirement they travelled with friends and family overseas, going on cruises and riding the rails in the United States sightseeing. One of their favorite travelling companion couples was Barron and Dessie Caulfield, Oliver’s sister and brother in law.

Lela was also active in the Women in the Church of the state of Mississippi. She held many offices and travelled for that organization often. She spent many years as ladies’ Sunday School teacher, Bible Study leader for one of the Church Women’s Circles and was the current President of the Senior Activities Program. Many church friends stated that she had a 1-800 number direct to the Lord. She was a huge supporter of World Missions and for many years she and her husband collected and sorted children’s clothing for Palmer Home for Children in Columbus. For many years she assisted her spouse, who was treasurer at their Church, and she had a goal of balancing to the penny.

She had the rare talent of getting up impromptu in front of a group and entertaining with jokes off the top of her head. She is one of the few people to keep a journal from her early years to span over a half century. She was a champion checkers, domino, and rook player. In later years she and her spouse began square dancing and they travelled to many places making friends and having fun.

Lela is survived by her children, Jim Farris and spouse Margaret, Vicki Farris Cagle and spouse, Tommy, Oliver Anderson III and spouse Melanie, step-children Emily Patterson, Charlie Anderson and spouse Mary Ann, plus twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and her namesake to be born in March, plus numerous nephews and nieces. She loved all her family very much.

Visitation is set for Friday, January 23, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Lakewood Funeral Home in Jackson, MS and Saturday, January 24, from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Providence Presbyterian Church in Clinton, followed by the service at 12:00. Interment is to follow at 3:30 p.m. in New Hebron Cemetery, Mississippi.

If desired, contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Palmer Home for Children in Columbus, MS, P O Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703.