Virginia Dunham Anderson

Virginia Lee Puerta Dunham Anderson, 83, was born August 2, 1936 in DeQuincy, Louisiana to John and Venie Puerta. Virginia died on Monday, May 4, 2020 at Memorial Hospital, Lake Charles, LA. Virginia graduated from DeQuincy High School and later McNeese State College with a degree in Elementary Education. She also earned her Masters and plus 30 from McNeese. Throughout her career it was her privilege to teach hundreds of first graders, beginning at Prien Lake Elementary School and later at A.A. Nelson Elementary. While at McNeese Virginia met Doy Dunham. They were married 43 years, until his death in 2003. She and Doy had two children, Melinda (Mindy) and John Dunham. She and Doy spent many wonderful years enjoying the activities of their children and traveling. In 2004 Virginia married Jim Anderson and they were married 14 years, until his death in 2018.

Mrs. Anderson was a longtime member of Houston River Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, and served on various committees. She was also an active member of the Pine Grove (Baptist Church) Singers. Pine Grove always had a special place in her heart because that is where she and her siblings were raised and was an important part of her life.

If you were ever blessed by one of Virginia’s notes, you knew she had the rare gift of saying things so very eloquently. And listening to one of her stories, whether about her family, a Bible character/truth or a school event, was a real treat – always the teacher, not beginning until she had everyone’s attention.

Virginia Anderson Dunham is survived by her son John Dunham (Heather), Sulphur, LA, Mindy’s friend Barbara Comeaux, Nederland, TX, her four step daughters, Leslie Neal (Tommy), Whitesboro, TX, April Loewen, Sherman, TX, Amber Traxler (Jason), Sanger, TX and Melanie Anderson, NYC, NY and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Catherine DeLee (Jimmy) of Alexandria, LA, Grace Perez (Carlos) of Lake Charles, LA, and John Puerta (Beverly) of DeQuincy, LA and a brother-in-law, Randy Dunham (Sharon) of Sulphur, LA, numerous nieces and nephews (who call her Sipeau) and many wonderful friends.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Doy Dunham and Jim Anderson, daughter Melinda Dunham, sister Molly Odreman, brother James (Cubby) Puerta, and step son, James David Anderson.

A few days before her death, Virginia Dunham Anderson, dictated the following:

“I say my good-bye for now to my son John and daughter-in-law Heather, my Anderson family through Jim Anderson, my siblings and spouses, my brother-in law and wife, my nieces, nephews and their families, Mindy’s friend Barbara Comeaux, Bro. Lonnie Gothrop, Jim Reynolds, Scotty Blackwell, my Houston River Baptist Church Family, my Pine Grove Baptist Church, the Pine Grove Singers, my neighbors, my Pokeno Family, those at the schools where I taught, and in particular my first grade students and their parents, the caregivers and doctors at Memorial Hospital and to all those who have been a part of a well-lived life, I thank you and say my good-bye. I want you to know that COVID 19 may have taken my body but God is to be called the victor!!”

A private graveside service will be led by her pastor Bro. Lonnie Gothrop at McFatter/Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Pine Grove Baptist Church in DeQuincy.

Memorials may be made to the Pine Grove Baptist Church, C/O Milly Tunks, Treasurer, 206 Lee Spears Rd. Singer, LA 70660 or the charity/church of choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonsnider.com for the Anderson family.