WILMINGTON — Martha Starnes Anderson, 79, passed away Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCare Center.
She was born Aug. 3, 1938, in Clarkton, N.C., the daughter of the late James Wesley and Fannie Pheifer Starnes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Doctor Elbert C. Anderson; and three brothers, James W. Starnes Jr., William W. Starnes (wife Carol, deceased) and Charles C. Starnes (wife Kathryn, deceased).
Mrs. Anderson was a lifelong resident of Wilmington. She was a graduate of New Hanover High School (1956) and the James Walker Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Wilmington, (1958).
Mrs. Anderson was a nursing instructor at James Walker Memorial Hospital and a nurse in the medical office of Dr. D.B. Koonce, Wilmington. She married Doctor Elbert C. Anderson in 1964 and began her full-time career as wife and mother.
Mrs. Anderson was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Wilmington. She enjoyed gardening at home and spending time with family at “the island” crabbing and fishing and relaxing at their cabin in the mountains. Her real passion was her lifelong devotion to her family, including her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Surviving are her son, John Anderson (Adrian) of Granite Falls, N.C.; daughter, Amy Anderson Connell (Larry) of Wilmington, N.C.; sister, Joanne Starnes Schroetel (Al) of Wilmington, N.C.; brother, Joseph T. Starnes (Nancy) of Greensboro, N.C.; sister-in-law, Rachel Starnes of Wilmington, N.C.; stepson, Carl Anderson (Noemi) of Tampa, Fla.; stepdaughter, Martha Anderson Simmons (Russ) of Sandhills, N.C.; five granddaughters, Julia Connell of Wilmington, N.C., Logan Anderson of Granite Falls, N.C., Emersyn Anderson of Granite Falls, N.C., Marley Anderson of Granite Falls, N.C., and Heather Edge (Chris) of Clayton, N.C.; and two grandsons, Oleg Connell of Charlotte, N.C., and Ronnie Anderson (Joan) of Tampa, Fla.
The family will receive friends at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 2, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation; or the Cape Fear Community College, Nursing Program.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
