Hiawatha Black Anders

Hiawatha Black Anders was born March 28, 1928 in the Sandy Mush Community of Leicester, NC to the late Jesse J. and Josie Hayes Black. Her siblings include: Hilda Abernathy and Celeste Bartlett and the ones gone before: Edith Childs, Gordon and William Black, Gladys West, & Virginia Hannah. Throughout the years, her home and family were the center of her life. Her family will cherish the memories and her husband, Ray, will miss her greatly having shared 70 years together. Hiawatha and Ray have a son Michael (Joyce) and a daughter Raymelle. Their children provided them beautiful granddaughters Rebecca Marsh (Chuck), Alicia Chapman (Keith), & Ashley Willis (Travis). What a joy when the great-grandchildren started arriving: Grayson and Aaron, Kyle and Karsyn, Ellison and Josie. Growing up on a farm, Hiawatha graduated from Sandy Mush High School. During her school years, her husband of 70 years wrote to her from Europe for 2 years before they met. When Ray returned from WWII in January 1946, he wasted no time to meet Hiawatha. They were engaged in March and married on April 21, 1946. Their bond of love, commitment, friendship, giving spirit, and love for the Lord exemplified a true marriage. Hiawatha helped provide whenever needed for the family by working at Mars Hosiery, Square D, Allied Publishers, and alongside Ray in his land surveying business, Ray E Anders & Associates. She always had an open place at her breakfast table for anyone who stopped by. All who knew her were aware of the depth of her empathy and compassion for others. Hiawatha also had the opportunity to travel in their RV throughout the U.S. with Ray and saw 49 out of the 50 states. She especially loved camping and surf fishing with friends and family at Ocracoke Island and the Outer Banks. Hiawatha went to be with her Lord on January 3, 2017. Graveside service and burial will be held Thursday, January 5, 11:00 a.m. at Paynes Chapel Cemetery, Sandy Mush Creek Rd. in Leicester with Rev. Richard Baird and Chaplain Brian Williams presiding. Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening 6-8 p.m. at Westwood-Faith Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Westwood Pl, Asheville. Honoree pallbearer: Dale Cipar. Thanks and appreciation to all who loved Hiawatha and helped with her care and especially those who supported Raymelle thru the years of her declining health: Stephanie Flynn, Stacey Lynd, Candice Moore, Morgan Pressley, Gail Lynd, Diane Haney, Toria Cox, Rachel Brooks, Lla Leet Cox and Paula Edwards. Hiawatha's two sisters, Celeste and Hilda and sister-in-law Rhea; nephews Randy and Kenneth, niece Teresa, granddaughters, Ashley and Alicia, and best friend Joy Cipar. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.