Mary Anderson

Mary Lou Anderson, 85, a native of Hopewell, Virginia joined the Church Triumphant on March 18, 2017 after an extended illness. Born in Fishersville, Virginia on January 21, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Howell Taylor Bear and Lydia Frances Morris Bear, and was also preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Milton Louis Anderson; brothers, Don Bear, Howell Taylor Bear, Jr., David Bear, Vincent Bear, Johnny Bear; and sister, Caroline Bear Hess. Mary Lou was a lifelong member of Ettrick United Methodist Church. After working a number of years for Rucker Rosenstock and Titmus Optical Company, she was employed by the Chesterfield County Courthouse, from which she retired. She enjoyed music and photography. In her youth, she played guitar and sang on the radio as a member of "The Rosewood Girls." On several occasions, she was welcomed as a "backstage guest" to The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. In her retirement, she enjoyed photographing trains and old mills, and was featured by her local newspaper, as well as showcasing her train photography at many local events and business meetings. Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Brenda Anderson Menzies and husband, Timothy R. Menzies; beloved grandson, Timothy L. Menzies, all of Williamson County, Tennessee; sisters, Frances Bear Arpaia, and Joanne Bear Mullins and husband, Bill of Hopewell, and Anderia Bear Buettemeyer and husband, Richard, of Abilene, Texas; a sister-in-law, Margaret Bear; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. A funeral will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. on March 24, 2017, at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, with the Reverends Bob Lamb and James Blankenship, officiating. Interment will follow in Wood's United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the funeral home from 1:00 to 2:30p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Richmond Child Advocacy Center, 101 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219 or to the Sexual Assault Center, 101 French Landing, Nashville, TN 37228. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Friday, March 24th, 2017 1:00pm - 2:30pm, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Service Information

Friday, March 24th, 2017 2:30pm, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Interment Details