Lena Anderson, 91, a longtime resident of Athens, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at a Cleveland health care facility with her family at her bedside.

Born in Monroe County, she moved to Athens after her marriage. A longtime member of East Athens Baptist Church, she dedicated many years of her life to serving homebound members of the church. She diligently delivered food, drove precious shut-ins to doctor\'s appointments and drug stores, helped them with their Bible studies and encouraged them with her regular visits. She and her husband became a joyful team in this ministry during their later years together. Her legacy of care and ministry to the frail and forgotten leaves a large footprint. She also served many years as teacher of the Deborah Sunday School Class. She took great joy in preparing meals and entertaining people in her home. She also prided herself in hand-stitching beautiful quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. A daughter of the late Hugh Frank and Elsie Mantooth Frank, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Arrants Anderson.

Survivors include four children and their spouses, Norman and Daris Anderson of Chattanooga, Alma and Jerry Robb and Janice Martin, all of Franklin, and Dennis and Donna Anderson of Cleveland; seven grandchildren, Tim Anderson, Shannon Richardson, Stephanie Fox, Angie Anderson, Aubrey Poythress, Ashley Martin and Haley Anderson; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Lester Frank of Philadelphia; one sister, Pricie Watson of Sweetwater; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Pete Mullins officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens with the men of East Athens Baptist Church serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to East Athens Baptist Church, P.O. Box 446, Athens, TN 37371-0446; or to the Bradley County Alzheimer\'s Association, 2910 Peerless Road, Cleveland, TN 37312.