Obituary for Bette Merle Anderson
Bette Merle Anderson, 80, of Warsaw, Virginia passed away on July 6, 2022. Born in New Bern, North Carolina, Bette was the daughter of the late Claude James Anderson, Jr. and the late Betty Lee Bowden Anderson. She retired after a long and distinguished career as an Executive Officer with the Department of Defense Office of Chief Information. Bette was most recently a member of Warsaw Baptist Church, but previously a member of Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria and Mt. Ezarat Baptist Church in Stafford.
Born into a Navy family, Bette left New Bern as a small child and her father’s career took the family to the Washington, D.C. area. Here she thrived, raising her son and creating a remarkable professional life for herself. After she retired, she lived briefly in Stafford before settling in Warsaw permanently. Bette loved relaxing, watching her favorite shows and doting on her dog Shug. She loved church and each of the churches she attended was very dear to her heart. Bette was fluent in American Sign Language and she took great joy in providing volunteer translating services at Groveton Baptist for the deaf community while she was a member there.
Bette is survived by her son Phillip Wayne Porter, Jr.; her beloved grandchildren Rebecca Melody Porter and Devin Chase Williams; her dear friend and former spouse Phillip W. Porter, Sr.; her niece Shari Anderson Irby, who provided Bette with much care, love and support; her nephew Mike Anderson and their families; her sister-in-law Joan Anderson; and many dear friends and former colleagues. Bette was predeceased by her parents; her twin brother Master Chief Don Anderson; her daughter-in-law Tracy Porter; her former husband Reggie Rice; and her beloved dog Shug.
A memorial service for Bette will be held at the Mausoleum at Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 South Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA 22306 on Monday, July 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
The family would love flowers; or you may honor Bette’s love of dogs by making a donation in her honor to the Richmond County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1371, Warsaw, VA 22572.
Born into a Navy family, Bette left New Bern as a small child and her father’s career took the family to the Washington, D.C. area. Here she thrived, raising her son and creating a remarkable professional life for herself. After she retired, she lived briefly in Stafford before settling in Warsaw permanently. Bette loved relaxing, watching her favorite shows and doting on her dog Shug. She loved church and each of the churches she attended was very dear to her heart. Bette was fluent in American Sign Language and she took great joy in providing volunteer translating services at Groveton Baptist for the deaf community while she was a member there.
Bette is survived by her son Phillip Wayne Porter, Jr.; her beloved grandchildren Rebecca Melody Porter and Devin Chase Williams; her dear friend and former spouse Phillip W. Porter, Sr.; her niece Shari Anderson Irby, who provided Bette with much care, love and support; her nephew Mike Anderson and their families; her sister-in-law Joan Anderson; and many dear friends and former colleagues. Bette was predeceased by her parents; her twin brother Master Chief Don Anderson; her daughter-in-law Tracy Porter; her former husband Reggie Rice; and her beloved dog Shug.
A memorial service for Bette will be held at the Mausoleum at Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 South Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA 22306 on Monday, July 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
The family would love flowers; or you may honor Bette’s love of dogs by making a donation in her honor to the Richmond County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1371, Warsaw, VA 22572.