Margaret V. Anderson
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Margaret Vance Anderson, 90, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2008. A member of First Baptist Church in Clinton, Tenn., she was born in Glasgow, the daughter of James Woodford Vance and Lucie Akers Vance.
Mrs. Anderson received her undergraduate degree from Western Kentucky Teacher’s College and earned two Master degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, one in business and one in guidance and counseling.
In 1943, she married Raymond Anderson of Madisonville. After his service in World War II, they moved to Williamsburg, where they both taught at Williamsburg High School. In 1952, they moved to Clinton, Tenn., where Mrs. Anderson taught business at Clinton High School and Mr. Anderson was the band director. During her tenure at Clinton High School, Mrs. Anderson also served as vice president and became the school’s first guidance counselor. She continued in that capacity for the duration of her career, except for a short sabbatical during which time she wrote her acclaimed account of the desegregation of Clinton High School, The Children of the South. In addition to her book, Mrs. Anderson wrote a series of articles for the New York Times Magazine and lectured extensively. In the 1960s, she also served on The President’s Council for Education.
Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Raymond, as well as her three brothers, Mrs. Anderson is survived by daughters, Martha Anderson Damiano and husband Frank, and Carolyn Anderson Todd and husband Peter, all of Oak Ridge, Tenn. Grandchildren are Mollie Elizabeth Todd of Oak Ridge, Tenn., and Meagan Todd Normand and husband Dave and great-grandson, Peter Blaise Normand, all stationed in Italy with the Army. Other surviving family members include first cousin Van Vance of Indiana; nieces, Gatha Chen and Susie Vance, and nephew, Johnathan Vance.
Receiving of friends will be Wednesday night, April 30, 2008, from 6 until 8 p.m. with funeral following at 8 p.m. at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton, Tenn. Officiating will be Terry Baker and the Rev. Sam Sean.
Mrs. Anderson will be laid to rest at the Glasgow Municipal Cemetery on Friday, May 2, 2008. A receiving of friends will be held at Hatcher-Saddler Funeral Home from noon until 1 p.m. on May 2, 2008, with interment following.
Memorials for Mrs. Anderson may be sent to Green McAdoo Cultural Center, 101 School street, Clinton, TN 37716; or Friends of the Clinton Public Library, 118 South Hicks Street, Clinton, TN 37716. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home of Clinton is in charge of Tennessee arrangements.
