Earl Anderson, a resident of Cleveland, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, June 30, 2011, at 12:55 a.m.

Before his retirement, he was employed with Combustion Engineering as a welder and crane operator.

He was a member of Lakeview Church of God. He loved to fish and hunt, and had a deep compassion for children. He was a very generous and caring person and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ethel Reeves Anderson; two brothers: Jack Anderson and Ronnie Anderson.

Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years (on their anniversary in July), Wanda Anderson of Cleveland; two sons: Michael Anderson and Patrick Anderson and wife Donna, all of Cleveland; two daughters: Denise Townsend and husband, Michael, of Knoxville and Olivia Anderson of Cleveland; grandsons: Dakota Anderson, Austin Anderson, Evan Millsaps and Ethan Millsaps; granddaughters: Megan Anderson, Hannah Townsend, Abigail Townsend, Chloe Townsend and Isabella Anderson; one great-granddaughter; three sisters: his twin, Pearl Royals, Dorothy Tatum and husband, Max, and Jodi Pike and husband, Bobby, all of Georgia; two brothers: Paul Anderson and wife, Alfreta, and Gary Anderson and wife, Hazel, all of Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 2, 2011, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Burke officiating.

Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens concluding with a white dove release ceremony.

Patrick Anderson, Evan Millsaps, Michael Townsend, Will Chambers, James Williams, Jim Stone and Gary Stone will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 this evening at the funeral home and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday prior to the service.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Anderson family guest book at www.ralphbuckner.com.