James Irvin "J. I." Anderson, age 91, of 804 Church Street, Clifton Forge, died Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at The Golden Living Center, Clifton Forge.

Born May 27, 1917 in Louisa County, Virginia, he was a son of the late Robert and Cornelia Lewis Anderson.

He served in the United States Army during World War II as a First Sergeant in Company "C" 1333rd Engineer Regiment.

He was a retired clerk for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, and served as chairman of the Clifton Forge Department of Social Services from 1980 until 1987.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he was Chairman Emeritus of the Deacon Board, former Sunday school teacher, former Superintendent of Sunday School, member of the Trustee Board, and member of the Senior Choir, Men's Chorus, and the J.I. Anderson Choir.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Anelia Leatrice Anderson Adkins; and one stillborn child; four sisters, and three brothers.

He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Gretel S. Lee Anderson of Clifton Forge; a son-in-law, Ret. Colonel Ronald A. Adkins and wife, Jo Anne of Fairfax Station, VA; two grandchildren, Corey S. Adkins and wife, Kristin of Ashburn, and Latrice Y. Adkins of Fairfax Station; a great grandchild, Sage Anelia Adkins; special nieces: Montrue Miles, Vanessa Walker, and Cassandra Ray; and other family members and close friends.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church, Clifton Forge with Reverend Roslyn Thomas serving as officiate, and Reverend Miles Siler as eulogist. Interment will follow in Red Hill Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers will be Deacon Daniel Christian, Deacon Julian Hamilton, Deacon Nelson Tinsley, Jr., Les Tinsley, Paul Hatcher III, Vincent Ross, Joseph Sorrell, and Lenford Hatcher. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of First Baptist Church and Main Street Baptist Church. Flower bearers will be the Deaconesses of First Baptist Church and Main Street Baptist Church. The body will be placed in the church at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge and other times at the residence, 804 Church Street, Clifton Forge. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions in Deacon Anderson's name to First Baptist Church, 918 Church Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.