Feb. 1, 1945 – Sept. 25, 2005
Gloria Smith Anderson, the oldest daughter of James E. and Loretta D. Smith, passed from this life at Missouri Baptist Hospital after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.
Gloria was born on February 1, 1945 and moved to St. Louis when she was 12 years old. She attended Simmons Elementary School and was the third-ranking student in the January 1963 graduating class of Sumner High School. She left college early and married Paul Michael Anderson, Sr. and became a devoted mother to their three children.
After working for several decades as a real estate agent for other companies, she opened her own real estate office in the county (Dynasty Realty) but was forced to close it last year when she first became ill. She was also the founder and executive director of a not-for-profit organization called REACH whose mission is to increase the number of African Americans in the construction industry. She was also an avid conversationalist and enjoyed participating with the Toastmasters.
She leaves to cherish her memory her mother and father; her three children, Paula Anderson Price (Shaun), Paul Michael Anderson, Jr., Michael P. Anderson (Nsenga); her four sisters, Renee Gool, Loretta Smith of Washington, D.C., Elaine Laura and Denise Lockette; six grandchildren, and many, many dear and loyal friends including Twanna Barnett, DeNova Candies, Yvonne Griffin, Donna Griffin, Gertrude Pate, Inez Ross, Louise Sutton, Renee Washington, Josephine Whitson.
Her younger brother, James Isreal Smith (“Jimi”) preceded her in death.
Visitation with the family: Friday, September 30; 4-8 p.m. and funeral Saturday, October 1, 11 a.m. at Eddie Randle & Sons Funeral Home, 4600 Natural Bridge Avenue (314/381-2400); interment immediately following at Lake Charles Cemetery.