Bessie Virginia Anderson, 71, of Adrian, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, at 3:20 a.m. at her home in Alton.
She was born April 15, 1931, in Kanawha Head, a daughter of Charity Rebecca Riley Riley, who survives at Kanawha Head, and the late Sherman Riley.
On Feb. 17, 1947, she married Walter Anderson, who survives.
Also surviving are seven sons, James Anderson and wife, Wanda, Adrian, David Carl Anderson, Kanawha Head, William Henry Anderson, Williamsburg, Va., Danny Ray Anderson, Poca, Minter Guy Anderson and Donald Lee Anderson, both of Adrian, and Richard Anderson and wife, Die, Fisher Branch, Canada; four daughters, Linda Sargent and husband, Thomas, Buckhannon, Thelma Jenista and husband, Geoffrey, Belton, Mo., Phyllis Sutherland and husband, David, Lapine, Ore., and Abigail Decker and husband, Jerry, Ada, Ohio; four brothers, Roy Riley, Kanawha Head, Hoy Riley, Elkins, Melvin Riley and Estal Riley, both of Cleveland; four sisters, Ada Range, Weston, Jessie Haymond, Rock Cave, Thelma Humphrey, Fredericksburg, Va., and Mary Moore, Kanawha Head; 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and eight stepgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Jeannette Anderson; and one stepgrandson, Terry Elliott.
She was a homemaker and attended Alton United Methodist Church.
Friends will be received at Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be in the funeral home chapel Thursday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Charlene Hamrick officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Church Cemetery in Kanawha Head.
