Obituary of Gail Anderson

Gail Marie Anderson, 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 29, 2022. She was born on March 6, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan to Wesley and Hazel Anderson. Gail and her twin little sisters had a pleasant home life and they were taught and led in the ways of Christian faith. Gail was twelve when her mother passed away. Her Aunt Laura Waite came home from the mission field in South Africa to help their father care for the girls. Gail finished her education and married in Texas. In time Gail moved to Zion, Illinois and fellowshipped in the Zion Faith Homes. She trained in Christian work and spent some years in Kenya, East Africa doing mission work. She worked with school children and also in a bookstore in town not too far from Kaimosi Bible School where she eventually lived and served. She helped in a variety of ways there. Gail was evangelistic and had a passion for people to know Jesus. When she returned to Zion, for some time she worked for Adeline Geo Karis in her law office. Gail talked often of those days. She was interested in many things. Gail loved people. She found them “interesting” and she cared. Yes, and we found her interesting and fun. She was faithful to her church and to her church family and others. She helped and cared for many. She was a hard worker. She enjoyed visiting patients in the hospital. She shared the love of Jesus. Among Gail’s gifts and hobbies was her beautiful piano playing and her abilities to knit, crochet and sew. She made and gave many lovely homemade blankets, sweaters etc. If you lived in Zion for a while, you surely would have seen Gail walking around town or maybe to the next town. She loved to walk. Gail wasn’t a “center stage’ personality. She might be hiding but she watched and listened well. If she saw what I’ve written I’d expect to hear her say, “Oh brother.” She had her cute ways. Gail’s life wasn’t always easy. Most aren’t. Gail was an avid reader. Her favorite book was the Bible. It was her daily bread. It fed her faith and deepened her relationship with Jesus her Lord. Prayer and worship were part of her life. It was a love relationship. We witnessed it in her. She sought knowledge. Jesus was her teacher. She learned to love and be loved, to forgive and be forgiven, to be thankful, to receive God’s grace and live it to others. The list goes on. When covid took her strength to walk away from her, I never heard her complain. Gail blessed many. She wanted to go Home. God took her. She’s still learning and LOVING. Gail is preceded by: her parents, Wesley and Hazel Anderson; her sister Sally Budlong; and her Aunt Laura Waite. She is survived by: her daughter Mary Stanton; sister Ellen Anderson; nephews Michael Anderson and Mark (Kathy) Anderson, and a grand nephew and niece. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Zion Faith Homes, 2820 Eschol Ave, Zion, IL 60099.