Obituary of Opal Pauline Anderson
Chilhowie, VA
Dr. Opal Pauline Anderson 95, passed away, Sunday, November 26, 2017 at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, Tennessee to reside in Heaven with her Lord and Savior.
Dr. Anderson was born on March 2, 1922 to John Emory Anderson and Flora Vina Barker Anderson in Clinchburg, VA. She was raised in Atkins, VA., and worked and retired in Radford, VA. She lived her entire life in southwest Virginia and is preceded in death by her parents and sister Anna Ruth Anderson Salmon.
Polly is survived by her sister Grace Elizabeth Anderson Martin of Chilhowie, VA; and brother John Carroll Anderson of Roanoke, VA. She is also survived by 3 nephews, 3 nieces and their families.
After graduating from Atkins School, where she was a member of the girl's basketball team, she attended Marion Junior College and then Radford University before accepting a teaching job with the Smyth County School System. Her first teaching assignment was Green Mountain Elementary, a one room school house. Polly also taught at Groseclose Elementary and Marion Senior High School. In 1953 she earned her Masters Degree from the University of Virginia and went on to teach at Martinsville High School. After many years in the classroom and earning her Doctorate in 1979 from Ohio State University, Dr. Anderson left the classroom and accepted a position with the Virginia Department of Education for Guidance Counselors in Radford, VA until she retired. As a real-estate owner, she began the development of off-campus housing with town-homes next to Radford College.
Polly was an avid gardener and horticulturist. She retained her membership in Garden Clubs and was a certified judge for flower cuts and fresh floral arrangements. She too was a world traveler taking several trips to England, Italy, France, Bermuda, and cruise to the Caribbean Islands.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Polly's nephew, John Wayne Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Rosewood Memorial Gardens, Rural Retreat, VA. The family will receive friends Thursday, from 10 until 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Dr. Opal Pauline Anderson.