Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Jebiz Sylvester Anderson, Sr, was called home to rest on November 25, 2022.

Brother Jebiz “JB” Anderson was born on March 16, 1944, in West Chester, PA, to James and Helen Davis Anderson.

He was raised in Chadds Ford, PA. He is one of seven children. He has four sisters: Mary Tillman, Geraldine Anderson, Priscilla Winters and Rosie Hammond. He had two brothers: Thomas Anderson and Charles “Chunky” Anderson (both deceased).

JB attended grade school in Chadds Ford, PA and went to Unionville High School. He played soccer, basketball, and baseball.

In 1965, he joined the United States Army and received basic training at Fort Garden, NC. He went on to serve in Vietnam and in Berlin, Germany. He received several medals while in the service to include the Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the National Defense Medal. His term of active duty was from 1965-1967 and the reserves from 1967-1971.

After his service to our country, JB worked as a Deputy Game Warden for 15 years and as a self-employed handyman for 25 years.

JB loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also loved raising beagles.

JB has lived in several states and last resided in Beckley, WV, with his present wife, Phyllis. He worked for the Raleigh County School Board for 10 years and coached basketball and softball.

He has five sons and three stepsons, Jebiz S Anderson, Jr, Terry Anderson, Nolan Anderson, Damon McNeil, Dwayne McNeil; Glen Staples, Rodney Staples, and Lamar Staples; three daughters, Krystal Anderson, Gerwayne McElaney, and Yolanda Anderson; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

JB became a Brother Elk in 1968 at Captain Levi M Hood Lodge #159 in West Chester, PA. He led several offices in the Lodge such as Council, Antlered Guard and State Association.

Realizing early that he loved working with children, JB dedicated himself to do just that by helping form and direct drill teams. He is the founder of: “The Reflections of Soul” and “The Soul Stompers Drill Team of West Chester”. Under his direction they won several state and national championships. JB earned his Past State President’s Honor and Past Grand Exalted Ruler’s Honor by working diligently whenever and wherever he was needed. He was presently the Grand Lodge Protocol Officer and retired as a Lieutenant General with the National Antlered Guard Department. He served as Acting Parade Marshall which gave him more time to use his drilling talent. He also served as Co-Chair for the Grand Lodge Ceremonial Affairs Department.

JB stated that he felt blessed and honored to have worked in Elkdom with some of the most dedicated and sincere members of the Elks for which he gained much knowledge and camaraderie which made a permanent footprint on his heart.

Funeral service will be 12noon, Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Heart of God Ministries 1703 S. Kanawha St., Beckley with Bishop Fred T Simms officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view and visit with the family one hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.