HJ768: Celebrating the life of Alvin W. Anderson, Sr.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 768
Celebrating the life of Alvin W. Anderson, Sr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 4, 2019
Agreed to by the Senate, February 18, 2019

 

WHEREAS, Alvin W. Anderson, Sr., a devoted educator, an advocate for Native Americans, and a respected civic leader who strengthened the Suffolk community, died on July 21, 2018; and

WHEREAS, a native of High Point, North Carolina, Alvin “Andy” W. Anderson, Sr., began to develop his deep and abiding Christian faith at a young age and learned about his Cherokee heritage from his mother; and

WHEREAS, after relocating to Hampton Roads with his family, Andy Anderson graduated from Maury High School, then served his country as a member of the United States Navy and the United States Air Force, specializing in intelligence; and

WHEREAS, after his honorable military service, Andy Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree from what is now Old Dominion University, a master’s degree from the University of Virginia, and a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson pursued a long and fulfilling career in teaching; he served as headmaster of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, where he led efforts to establish the Saints as the school mascot, then cofounded Alliance Christian High School, which served Portsmouth students for 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson went on to serve as assistant superintendent of secondary education for Buckingham County Public Schools, where he retired after 32 years as an educator and administrator in public and private schools; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson’s civic engagement was unparalleled, and he developed strong relationships with many public officials in his mission to enhance the quality of life for all of his fellow Suffolk residents; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson was an official member of the Southeastern Cherokee Council, Inc., and an honorary member of the Nansemond Indian Tribe, to whom he was known as “Big Mountain”; he led efforts to secure a 70-acre parcel of land at Lone Star Lakes Park that became Mattanock Town, an important cultural center for the Nansemond Tribe and the site of its annual pow wow; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community at Windsor Congregational Christian Church, where he served as a deacon, taught Sunday school, and chaired the property committee; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife of 48 years, Bobbi; his children, Brenda, Julia, and Andy, Jr., and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Alvin W. Anderson, Sr., a pillar of the Suffolk community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Alvin W. Anderson, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 768

Offered January 29, 2019
Celebrating the life of Alvin W. Anderson, Sr.
Patron-- Jones, S.C.

WHEREAS, Alvin W. Anderson, Sr., a devoted educator, an advocate for Native Americans, and a respected civic leader who strengthened the Suffolk community, died on July 21, 2018; and

WHEREAS, a native of High Point, North Carolina, Alvin “Andy” Anderson began to develop his deep and abiding Christian faith at a young age and learned about his Cherokee heritage from his mother; and

WHEREAS, after relocating to Hampton Roads with his family, Andy Anderson graduated from Maury High School, then served his country as a member of the United States Navy and the United States Air Force, specializing in intelligence; and

WHEREAS, after his honorable military service, Andy Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree from what is now Old Dominion University, a master’s degree from the University of Virginia, and a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson pursued a long and fulfilling career in teaching; he served as headmaster of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, where he led efforts to establish the Saints as the school mascot, then cofounded Alliance Christian High School, which served Portsmouth students for 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson went on to serve as assistant superintendent of secondary education for Buckingham County Public Schools, where he retired after 32 years as an educator and administrator in public and private schools; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson’s civic engagement was unparalleled, and he developed strong relationships with many public officials in his mission to enhance the quality of life for all of his fellow Suffolk residents; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson was an official member of the Southeastern Cherokee Council, Inc., and an honorary member of the Nansemond Indian Tribe, to whom he was known as “Big Mountain”; he led efforts to secure a 70-acre parcel of land at Lone Star Lakes Park that became Mattanock Town, an important cultural center for the Nansemond Tribe and the site of its annual pow wow; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community at Windsor Congregational Christian Church, where he served as a deacon, taught Sunday school, and chaired the property committee; and

WHEREAS, Andy Anderson will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife of 48 years, Bobbi; his children, Brenda, Julia, and Andy, Jr., and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Alvin W. Anderson, Sr., a pillar of the Suffolk community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Alvin W. Anderson, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.