Ethel Anderson

On September 9, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., Ethel Elsie (Hezel) Anderson joyfully ran into the arms of her Lord and Savior. Born in Philadelphia, PA on August 10, 1932, to Elsa (Knapp) Hezel and Hugo Hezel, she moved to Odessa in 1953 after marrying the love of her life, Eyster M. (Andy) Anderson.

As a child, her greatest joy was playing outside, climbing down to the railroad tracks behind her home, or running through the neighborhood with her childhood friends. She had vivid memories of time spent with her extended family (all from Germany) and close school friends, counting money at school for war bonds, cheerleading at Dobbins High School, and the necessary trolley rides throughout the city.

In 1952, while visiting her sister, Edith (Hezel) Blackmon, in Odessa, she met her husband, Eyster (Andy) Anderson, and it was love at first sight! They married in May of 1953 and moved to Odessa where she lived her remaining life. She quickly adapted to (very) early morning roundups on the YT and Ratliff ranches, square dancing (one of her great loves), dust storms, black-eyed peas, and fried okra.

A devoted mother, she took immense pride in her children, Keith Allen Anderson (1955-1982), Robin Anderson, and DonnaJean (Anderson) Fredeen, as well as her son-in-law, Ken Fredeen, and her grandchildren, Elissa, Andrew, and Anna.  She was an avid fan of Permian football, providing a play-by-play summary of the Friday night games to any who would listen, and she took extraordinary pride in her gardens, delighting the neighborhood with her beautiful geraniums and impeccable front yard over the years. Throughout her life, Ethel imparted lessons of perseverance and generosity along with the importance of a strong education, charitable giving, abiding faith, and much laughter.

Ethel is now in her heavenly home, joining her husband Eyster, son Keith, and sister Edith, as well as many other members of her extended family who preceded her in death. If you listen carefully, you will hear a square dance or two up in heaven.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held September 23, 2022, 10:30 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 1401 N. Sam Houston Ave, Odessa. The family respectfully requests that,  in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a favorite charity.