Bishop Reuel H. Anderson Sr.
– August 3, 2018
Bishop Reuel H. Anderson Sr., age 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 3, 2018, in Athens, Ga. From his birth on July 2, 1928, until his death on Friday, he nourished the people around him with his love and his faith in God. Reuel was born in Macclenny, Florida, to Ozzie Anderson and Belle Baldree Anderson and was the youngest of five children. He is survived by his brother Oswald Anderson and predeceased by his brother JB Anderson and his sisters, Catherine Smith and Doris Fraser.
Reuel graduated from Macclenny High School (Florida) in 1947.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He was a member of Macclenny High’s first football team and kicked the first kickoff of the season for 60 yards and also made the first touchdown for the team. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Between his junior and senior years of high school, Reuel felt the call of God upon his life, and knew he was destined to be a minister. One of the first sermons he remembers was titled, “In the beginning, God.” That became his theme for life believing that if you put God in the beginning of everything, you won’t have to worry about the outcome.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
In 1948, he married the love of his life, Hilda Ruth Thomas, at the Florida Church of God State Camp meeting in Wimauma, Florida, with over 3,000 in attendance. The couple served a number of congregations throughout the state of Florida during their life together. They ministered for 46 years and impacted the lives of hundreds of people with their love, their encouragement and their faith in God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
In addition to his brother Oswald, Reuel is survived by his two children Herb (Carol) Anderson and Wanda Anderson, John Rice, seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, August 26, at 3 p.m. at River of Life Christian Center, 6605 Krycul Avenue, Riverview, Florida. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I Corinthians 15:58
Reuel graduated from Macclenny High School (Florida) in 1947.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He was a member of Macclenny High’s first football team and kicked the first kickoff of the season for 60 yards and also made the first touchdown for the team. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Between his junior and senior years of high school, Reuel felt the call of God upon his life, and knew he was destined to be a minister. One of the first sermons he remembers was titled, “In the beginning, God.” That became his theme for life believing that if you put God in the beginning of everything, you won’t have to worry about the outcome.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
In 1948, he married the love of his life, Hilda Ruth Thomas, at the Florida Church of God State Camp meeting in Wimauma, Florida, with over 3,000 in attendance. The couple served a number of congregations throughout the state of Florida during their life together. They ministered for 46 years and impacted the lives of hundreds of people with their love, their encouragement and their faith in God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
In addition to his brother Oswald, Reuel is survived by his two children Herb (Carol) Anderson and Wanda Anderson, John Rice, seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, August 26, at 3 p.m. at River of Life Christian Center, 6605 Krycul Avenue, Riverview, Florida. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I Corinthians 15:58