Edward David Anderson

1949 - 2024

Edward David Anderson, 74 of Kingston, Tenn., passed away Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at his home.
He was born Dec. 5, 1949 in Robbinsville, N.C., and was a 1968 graduate of Robbinsville High School. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Western Carolina University in 1972.
After starting his family and career, Edward went to University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he earned a Juris Doctorate degree in 1980. He worked for Southwestern Community College in Sylva, N.C., where he was head of the paralegal technology program and was the school attorney. He also worked with WNC Legal Services.
Edward was a humble man, full of integrity, and lived a life filled with passion and service towards others. His life will continue to inspire, knowing that his spirit lives on through the love that he instilled in all that knew him.
Edward had a great love and devotion to his children and grandchildren, and always enjoyed spending quality time with his family at family gatherings. He was an avid Tar Heel fan and also enjoyed watching Dodgers baseball.
In 2016, he retired and moved to Tennessee. He was a member of New Midway Baptist Church in Kingston.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Fannie Keever Anderson; his granddaughter, Brooke Putnam, who he and Betty raised and cared for until she lost her battle with cystic fibrosis in 2018; daughter, Wendy Anderson Sellers; son, Drew Anderson; and their mother, Nancy Orr who was murdered on Nov. 20, 2006.
Survivors include his loving wife, Betty Kirkpatrick Anderson of Kingston, Tenn.; children: Tyson Anderson and wife Brenda of Bear Creek, N.C., Whitney Leigh and husband Josh of Waynesville, N.C., and Patrick Ewart and wife Liza of Waynesville, N.C.;
grandchildren: Taryn Welch and husband Paden, Rex Allen Sellers and wife Holli, Amy Sellers, Ryder Anderson, Nicholas Ewart, Nathan Ewart and Jadyn Slaton; great-grandchildren: Flether, Finnick, Nolan, Silas and Cayson; siblings: LeRoy Anderson and wife Becky of Marble, N.C., Johnny Anderson and wife Karen of Robbinsville, N.C., Marie Truett and husband Steve Truett of Andrews, N.C., Jerry Anderson and wife Leighanne of Waynesville, N.C., Robert Anderson and wife Sandy of Robbinsville, N.C., and Pam Shaffer and husband Sammy of Robbinsville, N.C.; brother-in-law, Danny Kirkpatrick and wife, Teresa of Kingston, Tenn.; and a host of extended family and friends.
The family received friends from 11 a.m. – noon Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at Liberty Baptist Church in Kingston, with the funeral service following at noon. The Revs. Randy Griffis, Rod Garrett and Rex Allen Sellers officiated.
Interment followed the service at New Midway Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were LeRoy, Johnny, Jerry and Robert Anderson, Steve Truett, Sammy Shaffer, Jimmy Keever and Allen Smith.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
The Wendy Anderson Sellers Memorial Scholarship
5165 Ela Road,
Bryson City, NC 28713,
or donations can be made at any United Community Bank location. The scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving Robbinsville High School student.
An online register book can be signed at FrakerFuneralHome.net.
Fraker Funeral Home of Kingston, Tenn., was in charge of all arrangements.