James Ellard Anderson

After graduating from Reinhardt College, he joined the US Air Force in 1954. He served four years in Evreux, Normandy, France. For almost 20 years after he left France, James received Christmas cards from French families.

After James received a master’s degree from the University of Georgia, he taught high school in Atlanta. He went on to serve as senior counselor for the Georgia Dept. of Labor.

While teaching, James met Reta Delores Jones, whom he married in1961. They celebrated their golden anniversary and were married for 60 years.

James was humble, intelligent, and forward thinking. He liked to play good-natured tricks on children (and sometimes adults). He always knew the answers to the children’s questions, even if sometimes the answers were made up.

James was a country boy at heart. A great teacher who treated everyone the same. He is survived by his son James Gregory Anderson.

A visitation will be held on January 29, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cremation, located at 3150 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA, 30084.

The funeral service will follow on the same day from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at the same location.

A committal service is scheduled from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm at Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cremation.

A reception will take place from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

The final resting place will be Floral Hills Memory Gardens, located at 3000 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker.