Mary "Liz" Anderson

Mary Elizabeth Anderson (nee Thornton), age 94, entered Heavenly Glory on Friday, December 28, 2018, in Grand Rapids, MI. She leaves to mourn her passing: son, Robert (Juliane) Anderson of Ada, MI; her daughter, Susan (Stephen) Marston of Edina, MN; grandchildren, Becca Anderson, Christopher Marston and Elizabeth (Todd) Hallack; and great grandchild, Samantha. Liz, or Butch, as she was known to her many Air Force friends, was born in Jonesboro, AR, to the late Reverend Doctor Robert Andrew and Ivah (Sharp) Thornton in 1924. In 1945, while Rev. Thornton was preaching in Artesia, MS, Liz met 2LT Joseph Anderson of Kalamazoo, who was then stationed at the Columbus, MS, Army Airfield. They were wed in October of that same year and moved to Michigan after his discharge. Several years later, Joe was recalled into the now United States Air Force and they were stationed in Waco, TX, Charleston, SC, Camp Springs, MD, and the Philippines. After Joe retired from the Air Force they settled into a beautiful home on Sunset Lake in Vicksburg, MI, where they joined and were active for many years in the Vicksburg United Methodist Church. Two Labrador Retrievers kept them on their toes: Dusty, and later, Sabre. Their travel was limited primarily to the family cabin on the Manistee River halfway between Smithville and Sharon, and after Joe passed in 2012, Liz moved to the Clark on Keller Lake Retirement Community in Grand Rapids. Liz now rests with her beloved Joe, her Poppa, Momma, infant daughter and her brothers and sisters. Rest well, our dear and loving mother, who made our many houses, wonderful homes. You are finally pain free and able to once again be the tomboy of your youth. Final goodbyes to be held at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, at 12:30 PM on Monday, Dec. 31. Friends may join the family from 11:30 AM until the start of the service. Interment will be next to her beloved Joe at the Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vicksburg United Methodist Church, 217 S. Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097, earmarked for "Missions". "Love Light My Way to God"