Dene Anderson

Gwina Dene Anderson, of Thornton, passed away at Limestone Medical Center on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at age 79. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 20, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at Victory Baptist Church (Hwy. 14-S, Groesbeck) at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, with Rev. Ben David Watson officiating. Burial will follow in Cox Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chris Henson, Roy DeFriend, Colin Lenamond, Ronnie Spivey, Morris DeFriend, and Justin Jolley. Dene was born Christmas Day, December 25, 1935, the only child of R. C. and Chrystelle (Hastings) Powell, at Oletha. She grew up in Oletha, attended school in Thornton and graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1953. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree from East Texas Baptist University, and her Master’s Degree in Texas History from Sam Houston State University. Dene was united in marriage with Billy R. Anderson on June 9, 1957. They lived in the Old Union community. Dene taught school for more than twenty years, and many of those years were teaching 7th. grade Texas History at Groesbeck. She was devoted to her church, her family, genealogy, and her students. Many Groesbeck residents will remember being her student, including some of the current Groesbeck teachers. She tried to share her interest in history and genealogy with her grandchildren, and with everyone who would read the many articles she wrote for the Groesbeck Journal on her memories of her community. She used her excellent memory of the past in her genealogy work, and was assisted by her daughter Lauri. She was a regular attendee of the Genies meetings at the library in Groesbeck. Dene was a devoted grandmother, always available and interested in helping her grandchildren with any school projects. She also taught the girls how to cook (with only Shelby not being an acceptable graduate of the cooking classes.) Granddaughter Shayla wanted to spend every moment she could with Dene and Billy, going everywhere with them. Shayla received the award one year when attending the Oletha Memorial Day with them, for being the youngest in attendance. Dene loved the Lord, and grew up in the Oletha Baptist Church. She was a member of the Victory Baptist Church later in life, where her husband was the minister. She taught Sunday School for many years, and organized Vacation Bible Schools and was active in Operating Christmas Child for several years. She especially tried to teach the Bible to her grandchildren, assigning them a Bible verse each week to memorize by the next Sunday. She enjoyed beauty shop days with her best friend, Boots Thompson. The family expresses their love and appreciation to Boots for the many hours she gave of her time to Dene, including driving her to the beauty shop, shopping and many medical trips. Dene had battled with diabetes and dialysis treatment for many years, and is finally now at rest with her Father in Heaven, as well as her parents and daughter, Sheri Patterson who have preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Billy Ray Anderson of Thornton; daughters, Linda Pemberton and husband Roger of Highland Village, and Lauri Anderson Taylor and husband T. L. of Houston; and son, Richard Anderson of Thornton; grandchildren: Shawn Pemberton of Highland Village, Michelle Jolley and husband Justin of Palestine, John Patterson of Houston, Shelby Anderson of Thornton, Shannon Anderson of Thornton, R. C. Anderson of Thornton, and Shayla Anderson of Thornton; and great grandson, Donavyn Jolley of Palestine.