God in his infinite wisdom called Alfred William Anderson, Jr., affectionately known as “Al,” from labor to reward on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at Riverside Memorial Hospital in Onancock, Virginia. He was born on November 17, 1953 to Alfred and the late Helen Anderson in Oak Hall, Virginia.
Alfred was educated in the Accomack County Public Schools. He later joined the United States Army. Upon returning back home, he began classes at the Eastern Shore Community College. With several breaks between taking classes there, he was determined to finish. It was with a great sense of pride and accomplishment that he earned an Associate Degree in 2016. Alfred was a faithful member of Metropolitan United Methodist Church and served as a Trustee, assisted with Sunday school, and any other capacity that was asked of him. He gave of his time by teaching some of the local AAA classes, encouraging others, yet never being ashamed or forgetting his struggle. This was his greatest victory and it was important to him to tell others that God propelled him to be an overcomer and what God had done for him; he was more than capable of doing the same for others.
On November 17, 1997 he joined in holy matrimony to Mary Ann Matthews. This union was blessed with two sons, Travis and Dominique.
He was employed at Perdue in Accomac, Virginia for many years. After which, he worked as a welder for two local contractors. For a short period, he was employed at Walmart in Onley, Virginia, until his health began to fail.
Alfred always greeted you with a smile on his face. He had a sense of humor and would always share his “take” on any situation. Even when his voice was challenged, he still managed to get his point across and his stare let you know exactly what he was trying to convey. Alfred possessed a heart of gold and was always looking out for his elderly neighbors-willing to do anything that they needed him to do. When his parents became ill and confined to their home, he made visits almost every other day. Even when he was not feeling well himself, he would travel to Atlantic to see what they needed or what he could do to make things easier for them. His generous heart was always intact and seeing those in his family happy was all the reward he ever desired.
He was preceded in death by his son, Rodney Wise; daughter, Lisa Wise; mother, Helen Anderson; and brother, Kenneth Anderson.
Alfred leaves to cherish his memory; his wife, Mary Ann Anderson; four children, Alfred Justice, Carmita “Dawn” (Christopher) Clark, Travis Matthews, and Dominque Anderson; two granddaughters, Cadie Brooks and Carleigh Chapman; three sisters, Shirley Anderson, Minister Rená (George) Finney, and Leslie (James) Hitch; one sister-in-law, Diane (Renzie) Collins; one brother-in-law, Curtis (Deanna) Matthews; three special friends who gave unselfishly of their time and expressions of love to Alfred whenever he needed it, Tom and Arline Riley, Mark Thomas, and John Crockett; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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