Tomie Sharon (Courtney) Anderson

Tomie Sharon Anderson died peacefully on July 16, 2025, in Overland Park, Kansas surrounded in love by her family. She was 81 years old. Tomie was born on April 5, 1944, in Bastrop, Louisiana to Army Sgt. Harold Courtney and Imogene Courtney, who preceded her to heaven. Tomie spent her childhood in Bastrop with her parents and younger sister Jane. She attended Bastrop High School and graduated in 1962. After graduation Tomie attended Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1966. Tomie was an active member of the GATA social club at Harding and served as President in 1965. Tomie’s first job as an educator was teaching Home Economics to students at Gosnell High School in Blytheville, Arkansas. In 1969 when she went on a blind date with David Churchill Anderson, a Saint Louis native and B-52 radar navigator in the United States Air Force. On July 12, 1969, David and Tomie were married in Blytheville. In 1971, Tomie and David welcomed their son Bradford while stationed at Blytheville Air Force Base. Tomie would frequently be left home alone with Brad while David was on alert during the Vietnam War. Tomie, David, and Brad also spent some time stationed in Guam in 1972. David and Tomie welcomed their daughter Kristen into their lives in 1974. In 1976 the family relocated to Knob Noster, MO where David was stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base. Tomie and David had a large garden and a hobby farm where the couple kept bees and chickens and other animals. Tomie was the original Martha Stewart, entertaining company, cooking, making jams and jellies, sewing, and selling honey and eggs from the farm. Tomie also furthered her studies at Central Missouri State University where she would obtain her teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education. This laid the groundwork for her true passion, which was teaching kindergarten. In 1983 when David retired as a captain after serving 20 years in the Air Force, the family moved to Salem, Missouri and lived on the acreage the couple had purchased in 1970. Tragically, David died 3 months later, leaving Tomie and her children to adjust to life without him. Tomie had just started teaching kindergarten at Oak Hill R-I Elementary School and continued pressing on as a single parent. The road was difficult, but Tomie remained strong for her children with the support of her in-laws, parents, and friends all along the way. Tomie’s new church congregation from the Jadwin Church of Christ also united behind the family. Tomie never remarried as she felt David was her soulmate. Tomie continued to teach at Oak Hill until 1992 and then was hired as a kindergarten teacher at North Wood R-IV Elementary School where she would stay until she retired. Tomie was a beloved teacher and colleague and found it difficult to go anywhere in town and not see a former student of hers. It came as no surprise that Tomie was recognized as the South-Central Region Missouri State Teachers Association Educator of the Year for 2006-2007 for exemplary teaching of children. In 2007, Tomie retired from teaching after 27 years in education. She continued to screen kindergarteners for a time after retirement as she had a hard time completely stepping away from her calling. In retirement, Tomie continued to be an active member of the Salem Church of Christ and was also a board member on the Dent County Developmental Disabilities Board. Tomie adored nature and was also a member of the garden club for a period of time. She loved traveling with her college roommate Vickie, taking trips to Hawaii, Memphis, and New Orleans. She also traveled with a retiree group on bus trips to such places as the Outer Banks and the Biltmore Estate until 2020. Tomie was also very patriotic and loved celebrating the military careers of her husband and her father Harold, who was a WW2 army veteran. Tomie was even interviewed by the local newspaper about the time Harold spent in Germany during the war. Tomie found her greatest joy in her later years being a grandmother, AKA Gigi—with her many kindergarten teacher talents on display. She loved reading to her grandchildren and doing arts and crafts projects with them. She enjoyed sending them cards for every little holiday throughout the year. Tomie taught her grandchildren about nature and shared her love of butterflies and hummingbirds. She loved taking vacations to Colorado with her kids and grandkids, gifting them skiing lessons so they could enjoy the outdoors in the mountains. Over decades Tomie loved spending holidays with her extended family and continued a close connection to her in-laws long after David’s passing. During her brief battle with pancreatic cancer, Tomie continued on with grace and kindness even as her illness took a toll on her body. While she did not want to leave her home and community in Salem, she bravely relocated to Kansas City in April of 2025 to be closer to family. She became a favorite tenant at Avenue 81 assisted living community where she enjoyed getting to know the staff who cared for her so well. Tomie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 14 years David Anderson, parents Harold and Imogene Courtney and sister Jane Doughty. She was also preceded in death by beloved in-laws Oscar and Audrey Anderson, sister-in-law Carol Carter, and nephew Matthew Carter. Tomie is survived by her son Brad Anderson (Diana); daughter Kristen Scott (Zach); stepdaughter Kathy (Kevin); grandsons Jeremy Nelson and Jesse Nelson (Jayna); granddaughters Riley Scott, Molly Scott, Katya Anderson, and Claire Anderson; great-granddaughters Ellie Nelson and AJ Nelson; sister-in-law Betsey Anderson; nieces Sarah Blink, Necole Doughty-Brown and Abby Barker; nephew Dan Carter; great-niece Mackenzie Landreneau. Tomie was laid to rest next to David at a family cemetery on the runway he built near Montauk State Park. It was here where they started and ended their lives together, having spent many good times landing their plane in this beautiful place. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Tomie Anderson to St. Jude Children's Hospital and left with Wilson Mortuary. Memorial Envelopes will be available. Condolences may be left online at www.wilsonmortuary.com

Tomie Sharon (Courtney) Anderson

April 5, 1944 - July 16, 2025