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Vernon Alonzo Anderson, Sr.,80, of Knoxville, Tennessee, departed this life on February 26, 2024. He was a loving father and grandfather.
Vernon Alonzo Anderson, Sr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 25, 1944, to Beulah Marie Dorsey Blevins and Melvin Anderson. Vernon, affectionately known as “Little Guy”, “Guy”, or “DC” spent most of his adolescent years with his grandmother and cousins in Randallstown, MD at the Dorsey’s homestead on Winan’s Road in the summers where he was smothered with love. Vernon began his educational journey at Douglas Elementary School in Upper Marlboro, MD, but would continue his quest for knowledge at Sousa Jr. High School and graduated from Eastern High School in Washington, DC.
As a result of his continued learning, he came to Knoxville, Tennessee, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Knoxville College. While serving on the Knoxville School Board, Vernon was employed by Union Carbide (Y-12 National Security Complex) and retired from Martin Marietta. He married the love of his life (Belinda Myers) and four children were conceived from that union Vernon Jr., Nicole, Timothy, and Byron.
He was a United States Army Veteran who served his country well for 30 years. During his service in the military, he advanced to the rank of Sergeant First Class and was deployed to both the Vietnam War and the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm).
While serving on the Knoxville School Board, Vernon was employed by Union Carbide (Y-12 National Security Complex) and retired from Martin Marietta. He accepted CHRIST and became a member of Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Beulah and Edward Blevins and Melvin Anderson; brother Jeffery Blevins; daughter, Nicole Anderson; son, Captain Timothy Sean Anderson, and daughter-in-law Dorothy Anderson.
Vernon leaves to cherish fond memories and the hope that they will meet again in heaven; two sons Vernon (Barbara) Anderson Jr. and Byron Anderson Sr., daughter-in-law Johnette Anderson; nine grandchildren, Brionna, Tyra, Timothy, Shawn, Byron Jr, Brandon, Christina, Ariana and Vernon III; two sisters Dr. Sherrie (Barry) Green and Lavern Anderson; Belinda Anderson; nephews, nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.
Homegoing celebration will be conducted on March 8, 2024 at Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist, with Byron Anderson Eulogist. Family will receive friends, Friday, March 8, 2024 at Payne Avenue Baptist Church (2714 Martin Luther King Blvd) 11:30a.m. - 12:00 noon with celebration of life to follow.
Internment Service: Monday, March 11, 2024 at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery (2200 E. Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920) at 12:30 p.m.
Arrangements by JARNIGAN AND SON MORTUARY