Valera Faye Anderson

VALERA FAYE (THOMAS) ANDERSON of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on Wednesday morning,10/27/2021, at the age of 93½ years. She passed away at The Center of Tucson, where she was working on her physical rehabilitation, following successful hip replacement surgery at UMC (following recent falls).

Val lived with her husband of 12 happy years, Willard Anderson, at Sunrise Senior Living (Sunrise at River Road), formerly of Rita Ranch in southeast Tucson. She was really looking forward to her return home with Will at Sunrise following her rehab (prior to her unexpected death). During her recent convalescence and rehab, she was regularly visited at The Center and encouraged by Will and her son and daughter-in-law, Thurston and Rose Anna Smith.

Valera is survived by her beloved husband, Will Anderson, her son and daughter-in-law, Thurston and Rose Anna Smith of Tucson, AZ, and her daughter and son-in-law, Gay Lavallee and Thomas Fraser, grandson, Marcel Lavallee, and 2 great grandchildren, Alexis and Edward Lavallee, all of Texas. Val was additionally survived by 2 stepsons, Ronald and Kenneth Anderson, and their families, in Arizona and Tennessee; and 9 grand-, great grand-, and great-great grandchildren on the Smith side through Thurston and Rose Anna's daughter, Janis Sorter, all of Texas. Val was also predeceased by her prior husband, Robert Telle, of Manhattan Beach, CA.

Valera was born in Atlanta, Texas, to Martha Margaret Attaway and Jesse Sterling (“Bud”) Thomas and grew up in East Texas on an active crop farm. She, her mother, and her siblings all worked the farm while her railroad man father was away from home. Yes, they all walked some distance to school despite weather issues, and had daily chores and major field and farm animal work to do before and after school. Depression era hit their family hard, but they learned to love life anyway and to work hard toward their goals in life.

Both of Val's children, Gay and Thurston, were also born in Texas with her first husband, Frank Smith. Val has always been connected to Texas, and still has many extended family members in Texas – cousins, nephews and nieces, and greats and grands. Val had 5 siblings, 3 of which predeceased her, Melva Grisham, Almand Thomas, and an early-death infant. But she has 2 siblings who have survived her – Juanice Blauser of Texas and Paul Thomas of Arkansas.

Valera attended college in East Texas and Southern California before and after her children's arrivals. Of all her siblings, Val traveled the farthest from her East Texas home, moving to New Mexico (White Sands Testing Grounds, Alamogordo NM) and then Southern California while working in the aerospace industry. Val raised her 2 children in the South Bay area of So. Cal. after leaving Texas and NM, eventually retiring from Hughes Aircraft as a valued project manager.

Valera lived through tough times during the depression and the war years. But she was always a sweet and supportive sister, friend, Mom, and wife despite any hardships. She made many friends across several states, locales, churches, and professional environments. Val found respite, succor, friendship, support, encouragement, laughter and love through her local churches, especially those in Tucson, Arizona, and Torrance and Manhattan Beach, California.

After Val retired from Hughes, she finally had time for personal pursuits – such as painting, jewelry making, sewing, knitting, weaving, gardening, and Bonsai. At each of her homes, she worked to make lovely yards and landscapes, many beautiful Bonsai which she studied and pruned, worked on stitching and weaving, and painted and hung many landscape pictures as seen by her own eye and hand. She was actively involved in several clubs and ongoing classes in the South Bay area of Los Angeles which focused on her interests – where she made many friends. She relished life and volunteered weekly at her churches – she organized many events and planned group trips for several years, and even worked as a liaison for the senior groups. She enjoyed traveling, too, and took several trips with her church groups, cruises with several of her girlfriends, and many with family. Val was not afraid to try new things, whether traveling, food, or activities.

In Tucson, she was also a regular greeter for church services – which is where she met Will Anderson, her current husband. They were later married on August 29, 2009, by Dr. Ron Rushing, who now will also officiate her funeral service.

Will and Val regularly attended church events and other friendly gatherings. They made regular outings and visits with friends, and took restaurant detours to enjoy good food (including trying out vegan food with her daughter). They enjoyed visiting and sharing the parks, landmarks, and scenic mountains and deserts of the Tucson area. They traveled cross-country together to see the sights and visit family.

Val was rarely separated from her wonderful husband, Will, whom she loved and adored. Will supported her with love and strength in all the right times, gave her freedom to be herself, encouraged her independence, and kept the light burning in her heart.

Valera Anderson was a bright soul and loved colors in her jewelry making, clothing, her stitchery and weavings, her landscapes, and her paintings. Flowers were her favorites. She will always be a bright and colorful memory in our hearts – she will always be loved. We will miss her greatly.

VALERA FAYE (THOMAS) ANDERSON

March 11, 1928 – October 27, 2021 (93½ Years)

Tucson, Arizona