B.J. Anderson

B.J. Anderson was born in Gravelly, Arkansas, April 14, 1919, and died in Conway, Arkansas, on Jan. 4, 2015. Her parents were the late Sallie Hairston Martin and Reverend A.W. Martin.

Also preceding her in death were her husband, Harold E. Anderson; a son, Harold E. ("Hal") Anderson Jr.; and a sister, Mattie Sue Emerson.

A graduate of Hendrix College, she spent most of her professional teaching career in the Blytheville Public Schools.

Survivors include her brother, A.W. ("Bill") Martin Jr. and wife Beatrice; niece Sarah Emerson Ocampo and her daughter Sarah Schlesinger (Steve), son Gabriel Ocampo, and grandchildren Ethan and Hailey Schlesinger; niece Sally Delgado (Pepo) and son Alejo; nephews Charles Emerson, Andrew Martin (Tina) and daughter Annie, and Tony Martin.

B.J. was also an integral part of the Blackwell family: Ila Blackwell; daughter Gail Kinnaird, son Aaron ("Jay") Blackwell and wife Londa, and daughter Suzanne Gee (E.B. III); grandchildren Emily Kinnaird, Jerrod Kinnaird, Jason Blackwell, Lauren Spradlin (Josh), Alissa Huberty (David), Mary Blevins (Jared), and Audrey Harris; and great-grandchildren Kai and Sophie Spradlin and Ana, Seth, Cable, and Nathan Blevins.

B.J. was a long-time Methodist, loyal Razorback fan, an avid reader and devoted lover of animals. She enjoyed sharing retirement years with beloved dogs, Hobo and Tramp, and then Dahli and Pauli.

Ashes will be buried in the Pea Ridge, Arkansas, cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to local humane societies.