Obituary

Sarah Frances Snell Anderson

September 18, 1929 - January 9, 2025

Sarah Frances Anderson, age 95 and of Amite, departed this life peacefully on January 9 at her home after a brief illness. She was born to Sarah (nee’ Simmons) and Newton Snell in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 18, 1929, and grew up on the family farm near Mt. Hermon, Louisiana.  

After graduating valedictorian of her 1946 Mt. Hermon High School class, Frances studied at both SLU and LSU to obtain B.S. and M.Ed. degrees. In 1948, she was selected as SLU homecoming queen. While at SLU, Frances met Stanley, a fellow student, as she was playing the piano in the SLU social room. After three months, the couple married, resulting in a union that lasted over 60 years. After college, she taught Home Economics and Biology, but soon became an almost full-time homemaker, raising their four children and helping Stanley in the family business.  

After Stanley finished his Physics studies, he became a successful road and bridge contractor. Yet, his first job was building Hammond’s Zemurray Memorial Park in 1951. Stanley was a WWII Marine vet who flew in dive bombers as a gunner-navigator in the Asia-Pacific Theater, suffering injuries when his plane went down in the Pacific Ocean.  

Through the years, in addition to teaching, Frances worked part time for the News Digest Newspaper, as reference librarian and media person at the Amite Public Library, and co-owned and operated the Strawberry Tree Craft Shop in Hammond. Frances also served on the Rosenblum Mental Health Clinic Board of Directors for many years. Her social memberships reflected her hobbies—the Amite Art Club, Stem and Stamen Garden Club, and the Brown Bag Luncheon Group.  

With cherished roots in Methodism, Frances was a thoughtful person of deep ecumenical faith, admiring goodness and beauty, especially nature’s displays and designs. In midlife, she became a parishioner of St. Helena Catholic Church; she was also a professed member of the Dominican laity (O.P., Southern Province). Her faith involved much volunteer work and numerous ministries.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sarah and Newton Snell; husband, Edwin Stanley Anderson; daughter, Rebecca Ann Desmond; sister, Nancy Ann Lagarde; son-in-law, Buddy Bel; and daughter-in-law, Nadine Anderson.  

Survivors include her children, Claire Anderson Bel, Edwin Stanley “Andy” Anderson, Jr., and James Patrick Anderson; son-in-law, Tim Desmond, M.D.; granddaughters Angie Anderson Danielson (J.R.); Megan Bel Miller (Joel), Erin Anderson Newman (Craig), Hannah Anderson, and Molly Bel; great-grandchildren Abigail Holmes, Savannah Danielson, Luke Danielson, Amelia Danielson, Anderson Newman, Anna Newman, Parker Miller, and Caroline Miller; great-great-grandson, Roman Danielson; nieces and nephew, Janet Anderson, Ted Anderson, and Katie Lagarde; and numerous other family members and friends.  

A graveside service will be held at Mt. Hermon Cemetery on Tuesday, December 14 at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Full of Grace, P.O. Box 1647, Amite, LA 70422. Mass intentions appreciated through St. Helena Church, Amite, LA 70422.