Lisa Anderson

Lisa Marie Anderson was born on May 9, 1965, in Richmond, Virginia, to Mary Elizabeth Anderson and the late Howard Gray. On September 3, 2026, Lisa departed this life in North Chesterfield, Virginia, at the age of 61.

Lisa was educated in Richmond Public Schools and graduated from Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe High School with the Class of 1983.
For a significant portion of her life, Lisa devoted herself to one of the roles she valued most—being a mother and caring for her family. She later enjoyed working in retail and went on to build a career in customer service. She worked with Medicaid and the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities, dedicating more than a decade to serving others through her work.

Lisa was a member of Second Baptist Church Southside.

Anyone who knew Lisa knew how much she loved to read. For years, she frequently visited a Black-owned bookstore on Forest Hill Avenue, and as technology changed, her Kindle became another way for her to always have a good book close by. Her love of reading did not stop with her; she passed it along to many of her children.

Lisa also loved live music, good food, family gatherings, and a good party. She especially loved eating crabs and looked forward to the annual crab feast so much that, even before entering hospice, she was disappointed that she would have to miss it.
Thanksgiving held a special place in Lisa’s heart. She loved bringing her family together and preparing food for everyone she loved. And no Thanksgiving memory would be complete without her chitterlings. For years, she would cook them inside and have the entire house smelling like them long before dinner was served. Thankfully, she eventually learned to take that operation outside—a decision her family was very grateful for.

Those moments capture Lisa beautifully. She valued family, laughter, togetherness, good food, good music, and the simple things that became lasting memories. Her greatest legacy can be seen in the large family she loved and the traditions, stories, and pieces of herself she leaves with them.

Lisa was preceded in death by her father, Howard Gray; her beloved son, Jamahl Anderson. her brother, Charles Cheatham; her sister, Annette Smith; and her brother-in-law, Ronald Wilkerson.

She leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Mary Elizabeth Anderson; her children, LaTesha Anderson, Brandon Anderson, Lionel “Marcus” Anderson, Darrelle Anderson, Brittani Anderson, India Waller, and Aaliyah Waller; and her grandchildren, Marcus Anderson, Chani Anderson, Jamahl Anderson Jr., Lionel Anderson Jr., Brandon Anderson Jr., Kaidence Anderson, LaQuan Anderson, Jaleah Anderson, Lyric Anderson, Khalief Anderson, Jacari Anderson, Reign Clark, and Kenzo Brandon.

She is also survived by her siblings, Linda Cheatham, Davy Cheatham, and Shelia Spears Wilkerson; brother-in-law, Carl Smith; sister-in-law, Marsha Cheatham; and her close friend, Lawrence Shambly, whom she lovingly considered a brother.
Lisa also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Though her absence leaves an immeasurable space in the lives of those who loved her, Lisa’s life will continue to be remembered through the family she built, the traditions she created, the laughter she shared, and all the stories that will be told for generations to come.