John Bernard Anderson

John "Johnny" Bernard Anderson, Jr. crossed from his earthly life into eternal life on Good Friday, April 7, 2023. He loved his family first and foremost and was an amazing father and husband. A dual member of Ettrick Baptist Church and Washington Street United Methodist Church, he was strengthened by his faith, especially in his final days.

Johnny loved growing up in Ettrick, attending Ettrick Elementary School and later graduating from Petersburg High School with the class of 1964. Active in the community, he played junior varsity baseball in eighth grade, competed in the soap box derby from ages 12-15 (finishing in 3rd place once), loved fishing, and was in the Boy Scouts, being tapped for the Order of the Arrow. At Petersburg High School, he played both junior varsity and varsity football.

Following Johnny's graduation from high school, he worked with his father, Bernard Anderson as a carpenter. Later, he worked as an electrical apprentice with Pete Humphries before moving on to Allied Chemical. Known there as Andy, Johnny would continue to work for Allied Chemical/Honeywell until his retirement after 37 years in 2003.

Johnny and his wife Becky took great pleasure in having season tickets to Virginia Tech football games for nearly 20 years, supporting his two kids from the stands as they marched with the Marching Virginians. He loved going to games at Lane Stadium and getting to know other Hokie fans. Johnny enjoyed riding motorcycles for nearly 40 years and watching stock car races both live and on television, spending many hours in Lennie Pond's Ettrick garage. In addition, Johnny treasured playing softball and played both Church League and Open League softball for 26 years.

An actively involved father, Johnny helped coach his son's baseball and daughter's softball teams, and served as a band parent for Matoaca High School in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Johnny enjoyed staying connected with friends throughout retirement including POGO meetings, lunches with a group of Ettrick Elementary classmates, and monthly Honeywell retiree breakfasts. Johnny was a member of the A.P. Hill Camp Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) for 23 years and served as Commander and Past Commander of the camp. He joined and rode with the SCV Mechanized Calvary for 19 years. One of his proudest moments every year was helping to organize the annual A.P. Hill Memorial service for numerous years.

Johnny was preceded in death by his beloved father, John Bernard Anderson Sr., and mother, Margaret Elizabeth Noyes Anderson; as well as numerous cherished aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Rebecca "Becky" Lee Boldridge Anderson; daughter Amanda Lee Anderson; son John "J.B." Bernard Anderson III, his wife Sharon Anne Anderson; and grandchildren John Bernard IV, Avalyn Rosemary, Gabriel Michael, and Mae Lily. Johnny also leaves behind many adored close cousins and extended family.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm, on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Blandford Cemetery.

In addition to flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation ( www.t2t.org ) or to Washington Street United Methodist Church (22 East Washington St., Petersburg, VA 23803).