Rodell B. Anderson, Sr.

Rodell Benjamin Anderson, Sr. went home to be with the Lord on the afternoon of April 25, 2023, ten days shy of 92 years old, after a long bout with several illnesses. Rodell, the sixth of 13 children, was born on May 5, 1931 to the late Bernard R. Anderson and Sadie Pack Anderson.

Rodell was educated in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system. He attended Browns Woods Elementary and Wiley H. Bates High School, graduating with the class of 1950.
On February 12, 1952 Rodell wed the queen of his life, Florence Bouyer. From this union they had four children, Deanna, Rodell Jr., Tara, and Darin.

He was drafted in the U.S. Army and served two years, touring in Germany and Hawaii. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he worked with his father in their Auto Repair Shop, which was adjacent to the family home, and learned a variety of trades that set the tone for him to become an entrepreneur. Later he was employed at the United States Naval Academy. He held several positions and at the time of his retirement he was the Transportation Foreman. After retirement the brothers started their own business, Anderson Brothers Bus Company, in which he was the President, Co-Owner and mechanic.

Rodell was raised in a Christian home and was a dedicated member of Asbury Broadneck United Methodist Church where he served on various ministries: Church Lay Leader, Finance Ministry, SPPRC, Administrative Board, United Methodist Men, Chancel Choir, Angelic Celestrial Choir, Male Chorus, Building Fund Committee, Church Bus Driver, and Fitness Ministry.

His “love” for music led him to join the Dynamic Traveleers of Annapolis (quartet) for 35 years traveling along the East Coast. He loved attending gospel programs. During his illness, whenever he heard gospel music he would start singing and get his praise on! Rodell was a dedicated Orioles and Ravens fan. His last request to his granddaughter, Chalia, was to print a copy of the March Madness bracket.

We were fortunate to have a father who loved to travel whether by car, plane or ship throughout the United States and Canada. In his younger years, we would pack the car and tour the majority of the East Coast and Midwest. In later years, he and the family flew to places such as Nevada, California, Texas, and Louisiana. As a couple they cruised to Hawaii and Alaska. It was a pleasure and fun trip for us; however, once we arrived to our destination, he would immediately gather brochures and read about the history of the place we were vacationing, and then selected the places “he” wanted to see. Every year he looked forward to the Anderson family reunions traveling to different states to family members that served as host. As the family patriarch, he felt it was important to celebrate the annual Anderson Family & Friends Day and Pack Day.

Rodell gained the respect of both young and old. He was admired by many and was a role model and inspired young men everywhere. He was affectionately called Pop Pop, Pop, Andy, Uncle Ro, Mandela, and everybody’s cousin Rodell. Wanda Lee Coates was often seen caring for him insuring he was comfortable during his illness and would call to check on him. However, it was Daddy’s girl, Tara that cared for him at home. Very particular about his appearance, he would never leave home without one of his many hats. Often you would see Rodell and Florence dressed coordinating their outfits. Oldsmobile’s and Cadillac’s were a must for his choice of cars.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Levi, Charles, Loretta, Gertrude, David, Alice, William, Alexander, Wesley, Jeannette and Ritchie.

He leaves a devoted wife, of 71 years, Florence; two daughters: Deanna Goodwin of Glen Burnie, MD and Tara Scott; two sons: Rodell B. Anderson, Jr. (Judy) of Gaithersburg, MD and Darin Anderson of Glen Burnie, MD; brother: Henry Anderson, Sr. (Revester); and sisters–in-love: Bessie Anderson and Betty Anderson; brother-in-love: Ellsworth Bouyer (Grace); grandchildren: Chalia Belt and Marcus Cooper; great-grandchildren, Delonte Cooper, Skylar Cooper and Kenzo Cooper; special adopted daughters: Gail Walker, Denise Allen, Sue Lima, Dorothy Kasey-McNeill and Wanda Lee Coates; adopted granddaughter, Nadia Lima; special cousin/friend, Dallas Hawkins; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.