Joanne Phillips Anderson

Joanne Phillips Anderson
Sept. 17, 1921 - June 2, 2017
Joanne Weir Phillips Anderson passed away at the Evergreen Hospice House in Albany. Surrounded by her family, she peacefully passed into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Joanne was born in East St. Louis, Illinois. She was educated in the public schools of Sparta, Illinois, where she was raised. 
From the age of 10 years she sang, winning many local and area competitions. In high school, her life was filled with rehearsals for plays, operettas, solos, quartets and choruses. She lettered in music.
After high school Joanne attended business school in St. Louis, Missouri, but her real ambition was to become a professional singer. She was honored to be selected to audition for the Municipal Opera in St. Louis. 
Joanne worked as a secretary in St. Louis through the war years until 1945. 
On January 12, 1946, she married Major Arthur William Anderson, US Army Air Corps, and began a life of adventure as an Air Force wife. Bill and Joanne lived in many places including New York, Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, Washington D.C., and Germany. Joanne was an expert at starting fresh at each new duty station, making a loving home for her family. 
Her flexibility and positive attitude about moving set the tone for the whole family. This small-town girl greatly enjoyed seeing the world. Before and after Bill’s retirement, they traveled all over Europe and later toured Mexico and the Far East. 
In June 2015, Joanne and Bill were in the midst of yet another move, this time to the Mennonite Village in Albany, when Bill died of congestive heart failure. They had been married for 69 years, a marriage rich in love.  
Joanne’s love of music was lifelong. She enjoyed singing in choruses and choirs at each duty station, and used her lovely soprano voice to serve and honor God in chapels and churches wherever they lived. Joanne sang everything from Gospel to opera. She encouraged the faith of many as she sang the great songs and hymns of the faith. Her rendition of the Lord’s Prayer moved people to tears. She especially loved singing Handel’s Messiah.
Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur William Anderson; her parents Webb and Florence Phillips; her half-sister Martha Gauen; sister Mary Jane Fites; and brother Thomas Phillips. 
She is survived by her daughter Karen Anderson Smith and husband, Chuck; son James Thomas Anderson and wife Lindy; four grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. 
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, at the Calvin Presbyterian Church 1736 NW Dixon St. in Corvallis.
AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements