Rev. Dr. Warren Lee Anderson

Taking flight with angels, Reverend Dr. Warren L. Anderson ascended into heaven in the stillness on Wednesday morning, October 4, 2023. Reverend Anderson, the son of the late Deacon Willie Anderson and Minnie Anderson, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on July 19, 1953. He was preceded in death by his father, Deacon Willie Anderson, and daughter, Patrina Anderson.

Warren L. Anderson was affectionately known to his family and friends as Ricky. He knew at the age of twenty-three that he was called to serve the Lord. Ricky became a member of Court Street Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Sunday, October 10, 1976, and was baptized on October 13, 1976, by Reverend Dr. Donald W. Johnson. His service included singing in the Jubilee Choir and teaching Sunday school.

Ricky, however, knew there was still more to achieve in service to his Lord and savior Jesus Christ. While serving at Court Street Baptist Church, he was ordained as a Deacon by Reverend Dr. Donald W. Johnson.

On Sunday, November 6, 1983, under Reverend Dr. Donald W. Johnson, Ricky became a licensed minister, and later he became an ordained minister. Ricky thoroughly enjoyed studying and preaching God's Word.

Ricky graduated from E.C. Glass High School, Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1971. He studied Health and Physical Education at Virginia State College, Petersburg, Virginia, from 1972 to 1974. Ricky received a Bachelor of Religious Education on May 23, 1992, from Virginia Seminary and College; a Bachelor of Theology on May 3, 1997, from Liberty University; a Master of Religious Education on May 1, 1999, from Eastern Theological Seminary; and an honorary Doctor of Divinity on May 1, 2015, from Eastern Theological Seminary.

Ricky lived a life dedicated to impacting family, friends, and humanity, serving in the following capacities:

Pastor, Altha Grove Baptist Church, Forest, Virginia, 1985 to 2003.

Pastor, Diamond Hill Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Virginia, January 7, 2006, to July 28, 2019. During this time, he successfully hosted classes for the national missions organization, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, Spring 2015 to Spring 2016.

Moderator, Peaks of Otter Baptist Association, Bedford County, Virginia, 1996 to 2002.

Commissioner, Lynchburg Redevelopment Housing Authority, Lynchburg, Virginia, 1998 to 2002

Board of HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention programs in Central Virginia, receiving recognition in 2007 for outstanding services.

Vice President, Lynchburg Chapter NAACP, 2010 to 2011.

President, Lynchburg Chapter NAACP, 2012 to 2013.

Ricky was a track and field superstar. During his high school career at E.C. Glass, he broke several regional and state records, and earned numerous medals and other awards for the 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash

500-yard dash, 880-yard dash, mile relay, long jump, and triple jump.

Ricky is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Yvette Hubbard Anderson; mother Minnie Coles Anderson; daughter Vanessa Anderson; son Samuel Anderson (Holly Anderson); grandchildren Jayden and Harper Anderson; sisters Paulette Anderson, Evonne Anderson, Charlene Anderson, Kathryn Anderson; brother Keith Anderson; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Reverend Dr. Warren L. Anderson's cancer care physician Dr. Emaculate Tebit; neurological care physician Dr. Fritz Personna-Policard; the nurses and medical staff at Guggenheimer Health and Rehab, The Summit, Liberty Ridge Health and Rehab, and Lynchburg Hematology Oncology; personal caregivers Kim Austin, Cynthia Slaughter, Francis Langhorn and Betty Horsley, who was with him to the very end

A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday October 14, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., at the St. Paul Baptist Church (4693 Everett Rd., Forest VA 24551). A visitation will be on Friday October 13, 2023, at Tharp Funeral Home Lynchburg Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. (220 Breezewood Drive Lynchburg, VA 24502). The interment will follow the service at the Altha Grove Church Cemetery (7376 Cotton Town Road Forest, Virginia 24551).

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.