Mr. Alphonso Anderson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

ALPHONSO “AL” ANDERSON was the son of Charles and Lula Mae Anderson. He was born May 23, 1933 in Robeson, North Carolina, the youngest of six children. He departed this life surrounded by family, the evening of Thursday, May 12, 2022. Alphonso Anderson, or simply “Al” was a Renaissance man. This powerful man set the bar high in his pursuit of equity. He was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, while simultaneously working several jobs to support his Family. Around the age of 19, Al started his decades-spanning employment with the Social Security Administration, as an Engineer. Al has always been a part of the Church; he gave his life to Christ at an early age and continued to faithfully serve the Lord throughout. He was a lifelong member of Sweet Hope Freewill Baptist Church and served in numerous capacities from Vice Chairman of the Trustee Board to Main Manager of all Church facilities. Al was an extraordinary man. He embraced all through his Faith. He advised, comforted, and supported many by sharing his Strength. He knew the power of words and challenged the status quo with actions such as insisting his wife be able to give birth at a hospital of their choosing and lobbying and winning the right for his children to choose and graduate from academically accelerated public schools. He pushed the socially accepted boundaries, of the times. He is the true meaning of “If there is a will, there is a way”. Al loved his Family and they were the motivation for many of his travels and aspirations. He loved family gatherings, and spent an extraordinary amount of time planning get-togethers. To know Alphonso was to know he was quite the globe-trotter, notable was his trips to South Africa. He continued to plan his return trip to Africa even during his illness. He was a true road-warrior, with a claim to fame to have successfully driven across more than half of the United States. He was also quite the jetsetter, having travelled to Alaska, Canada, and numerous other locations; There, There, There. Al loved music especially Gospel, Jazz, and surprisingly he enjoyed what he referred to “as some good Rap”. He also loved to learn about diverse cultures. He was a very charismatic man with a love for history, cars, ships, and an affinity for life. His countless stories past and present, passions, sense of humor, and giving spirit will be missed dearly by his loved ones. Preceding him in death is his mother and father, brothers: Joshua, David, James (Dickey); sisters: Laura, Sally Mae; children: Anthony and Sharon. Left to carry Alphonso Anderson’s legacy is his wife, Shirley Anderson, daughters,Diane Onafalujo, Alnita Anderson, and Bettina Spence, nephew, Rudy Yarborough, daughter in law, Mary, sons in laws Carlos and Tayo, granddaughters Nicole, Juaquita, Carlina, Nikia, Candice and Tymarra, grandsons Kevin, Quinton, Javais, Darryl Jr and Victor, great granddaughters, Kirah and London, great grandsons, Dezmon, Javais, Jr., Dontae, O’Shea, Jayden, and Raymon, goddaughter Kendra and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mr. Alphonso Anderson

May 23, 1933 - May 12, 2022