VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS)-Annette Anderson, National Ministries' Indian Ministries director from 1973 to 1985, died April 14 in her hometown of Clovis, Calif. She was 75.
While at National Ministries, Anderson proved herself to be devoted to serving others and to possess unusual leadership ability. Her vision for service was shaped by experiences teaching during the 1950s and '60s at Bacone College, her alma mater. In addition, her service as president of the American Baptist Women of the Oklahoma Indian Baptist Association was significant to Anderson, who later wrote: "They gave me more inspiration and spiritual uplift by their Christian witness than they will ever know."
A member of the Mono Tribe, Anderson also served as secretary to the American Baptist Indian Caucus. She was an officer of the Bacone Alumni/ae Association, and served as the association's secretary and president. When Bacone celebrated its 75th anniversary, Anderson was named one of Bacone's 75 outstanding graduates.
Anderson 's background of growing up in a church-centered home and her knowledge of American Baptist churches in western Oklahoma - she saw their deep faith and loyalty to the Lord - fueled her desire to become directly involved in Native American ministries within the denomination.
Commenting on Anderson's movement toward direct denominational involvement, Dr. Aidsand Wright-Riggins III, said, "She could see that concern was growing among Native Americans about the future of their churches and she made a commitment to help them."
Anderson graduated from Bacone College, Muskogee, Okla., in 1952. She received a scholarship to Mary Hardin-Baylor College (now the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor), Belton, Texas, where she earned a bachelor's degree in business. Later, she received her master's in business education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
A memorial service was held for Anderson in Clovis on April 19. Katie Choy Wong, National Ministries' Asian Ministries director when Anderson was with Indian Ministries, and currently pastor of New Life Christian Fellowship in Castro Valley, Calif., officiated.
Condolences may be sent to her niece Pearl Annette Hutchins, PO Box 689, Auberry, CA 93602.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/