Mrs. Bertha L. Anderson

November 15, 1924 - March 1, 2022

Bertha L. Anderson, 97, of Peoria, IL, passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at her residence. She was born November 15, 1924, in Lake Village, AR to Robert and Narciss (McCree) Washington, who proceeded her in death. She was married to James Anderson, Sr. for 63 years who also preceded her in death. Bertha was a faithful, loving, kind, selfless, warm, inspirational, and original person. She gave her all in whatever she did from having her children, going to work in the cotton fields of Mississippi, the cafeteria at McKinley school, cleaning offices downtown, working at Proctor Center, singing in the senior choir, attending church, paying tides, loving on family & friends, down to her icy cups. You did not have to be blood to be her child. Anyone who encountered her, you wouldn’t forget her, and she would leave you feeling loved. She started the family reunion and would run it single-handedly if she had to. She just loved to see the family together, blood or not, and was known for her famous words, “Just come baby; you’re family”. Bertha was a member of The Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ where she served as a faithful member on the Mother’s Board and senior choir. Bertha leaves to cherish her memories to her children: Nellie Veazy, James (Brenda) Anderson, Lucille Anderson, Ceola Anderson, Lenore Daugherty, Ikie (Earnest) Reed, Margaret Green, Richard Anderson, Charles Anderson, Tim Anderson, all of Peoria, IL, Dorothy (Terrance) Brown of Milwaukee, WI, Michelle Anderson of Iowa, and Lysa (Charles) Howell of Little Elm, Texas. She also leaves her loving remembrances to 57 grandchildren, 120 great grandchildren, and 38 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Bertha was also preceded in death by four brothers, six sisters, one daughter, one grandson, one granddaughter and two great-granddaughters. Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 10:30 AM at The Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ. Visitation will be held one hour prior at 9:30 AM. Pastor Henry Bolden will deliver the eulogy. Interment will be held at Lutheran Cemetery. Online condolences and acknowledgments will be made at twparkschapel.com. Due to Covid-19, both mask and social distancing are mandated.