"And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" Ecclesiastes12:7

On May 5, 2025, Percilla C. Anderson's spirit left to return to her eternal home with her Lord and Savior. Gone on before her are her father, Leroy Anderson, Sr., mother, Lilian V. Anderson, brothers, Herbert Anderson, Sr, Edward Anderson, Leroy Anderson, Jr., and Eugene Anderson; sisters, Lillian Anderson, Gertrude Elizabeth Bonner and Marion Anderson.

Percilla was born on January 21, 1934, on Pocahantas Island in Petersburg, Virginia. She was a graduate of  Peabody High School class of 1952. She accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized at an early age becoming a member of Mount Olivet Baptist Church, where she remained an active member until declining health, for over 75 years. During her days of service, she was an active member of the Pastor's Aide, Noon Day and Thursday Night Bible Study, S.H.A.R.E Ministry and (in earlier years) a member of the Nurse's Aide. She enjoyed traveling with the church to destinations near or far to worship and fellowship. She was an absolute believer that faith could move mountains, and that God could do anything but fail. Even when her illness ransomed her memory of many things, the word of God and hymns she stored in her soul helped her find her way to push through another day.

Cooking was a driving passion for Percilla. She began her lifelong career in food service at the Petersburg Bus Station and Fort Lee (Ft. Gregg-Adams) Military base. She went on to work in the Food Service Department of Petersburg City Public Schools where she quickly moved up to become the Cafeteria Manager of Virginia Avenue School and then Peabody Middle School until she retired after more than 37 years of service. During those years, it is noteworthy to mention that she had perfect work attendance for 35 of those years and she was never late for work. She believed in taking pride in her work and maintaining a strong work ethic. She went to work every day in a pristine white uniform from head to toe often leaving well before 6am to prepare the food for the day's meals adding love and care into each step along the process. She instilled in her own children, by example, that whatever your passion leads you to do in life, work to be the best at that thing. Percilla was indeed the best at her job!

Percilla had an amazing sense of fashion! Whether it was work, a casual day out, or Sunday morning, Percilla's outfits were always immaculate and well put together. On Sunday's she would be seen in her Sunday best complete with matching hat, lace or satin gloves, matching handbag and  3 or 4-inch heels. She wore her clothes with flair and epitomized being a lady of grace. As her health declined, one of the biggest battles her daughters had was getting her to move to lower heals when she was well into her 80's. Being a "fashionista" is a legacy she has passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are her six children, Charlotte Anderson of South Chesterfield, VA, Clinton Anderson (Traci) of Derwood, MD, Annette Holly (Herbert) of Chester, VA, Veronica Mayo (John) of South Chesterfield, VA, Leslie Northington  (Samuel) and Tracy Anderson both of Petersburg, VA; one twin sister, Frances Reaves of Washington D.C. and two brothers, William Anderson, Sr. (Alice) of Dinwiddie, VA, and John Thomas Anderson of Petersburg, VA. Percilla has fourteen grandchildren: Shayla Anderson, Bryan Anderson, Caitlyn Anderson, Brittany Anderson, Courtney Holly, Anthony Anderson, Darius Banks, Travis Banks, Trevor Banks, Sean Parham, Telka Parham, Nicholas Northington, Jada Northington and Lillian Turner, who provided devoted care for her "Nana" for  five years every day  until the end. There are thirteen great-grandchildren; a host of  nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews,  cousins and lifelong friends.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, 800 Augusta Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Wesley K. McLaughlin, Pastor, eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

A family and friends visitation will be held from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, May 16, 2025, at the funeral establishment.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.