Irving Anderson

Heaven smiled again on the evening of December 24, 2017 at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital when God called one of his beloved children home to be with Him.

Irving was born on December 14, 1921 to William and Adrienne Mercier Anderson in Duson, LA.  He was the youngest of five sons.  Growing up and nurtured in a Catholic, Christian environment, he was baptized at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church in Duson.

On December 19, 1942, he was united in marriage to his beloved Ida Lee Cobb and shared sixty-eight years of marriage until her passing in 2010.  To that union four daughters were born.  They moved to Lake Charles, LA where they became faithful, longtime members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver in Duson, LA and later transferred his membership in the Knights to St Peter Claver Church in Sulphur, LA.  He worked fifteen years in maintenance for Olin Chemical Plant and in 1986 retired as Foreman in the Department of Public Works office of the City of Lake Charles.  During his younger years Mr. Anderson was a talented athlete; having played baseball with a recreation team well into his fifties and for many years enjoyed coaching the Immaculate Heart of Mary girls softball team.  Following the loss of his beloved wife, he began daily walks at the Ward 3 Recreational Park five days a week.  He also looked forward to competing in Ward 3’s “Bean Bag” game on Fridays, looked forward to the tournaments and was a member of the Senior Olympics team.  His love for Ward 3 Recreation was his greatest enjoyment.  Mr. Anderson will be most remembered for his independence and strength.  He was a man who never gave up and always had encouraging words for family and friends.  He never met a stranger and would speak to everyone.  His sense of humor drew people to him. He leaves a legacy of love of family and family gatherings.

He leaves many wonderful memories to his family; three daughters Diana (Roy) Reeder, Bernice Anderson and Veronica Joubert all of Lake Charles, LA; ten grandchildren Myron (Cynthia) Anderson (whom Irving & Ida help reared), Pamela Paragan, Patrice (Eugene) Fontenot, Erica (Kendall) Duplechain, Stephanie (Keith) Stevenson, Gerard Babin all of Lake Charles, LA , Felicia Ann Price of Pacoima, CA, Adrienne Stamps of Compton, CA, Chamaine Bruno of Richmond, TX and Mallory DeVille of Humble, TX;  fourteen great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.  He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends and a special friend, Mildred Guidry.

Irving is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, daughter, Lillian Ann Price; son, Arthur Lee Dennis; four brothers, Willis, Norris, Joseph and Dennis Anderson and foster brother, James “Jimmy” Anderson.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  The Very Reverend Marcus Johnson will officiate.  Interment will follow in Combre Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation Saturday will be from 9:00 AM until 12:15 PM with a rosary beginning at 9:30 AM in the funeral home.