JULIAN FREEMAN ANDERSON

Julian Ardell Anderson was a devoted servant of God and served with excellence in everything she was called to do in His name. Adoringly known as Judy by her family and friends, she practiced the principles of a servant leader within her career as a nurse for over 50 years and throughout her service at church. She was a devoted woman of faith who didn't take her duties lightly. Caring for others and spreading the word of God was her purpose. She fulfilled her calling in the highest form, with precision and skill, compassion and exuberance, and unwavering faith in God.

Born May 29, 1947, Judy was raised by her mother, Allie B. (Freeman) Floyd, and father, Eddie Julian Freeman, Jr., along with stepfather, Clifton O. Floyd, Sr. Judy grew up in a close-knit family that included her brother Eddie Freeman III. The two siblings were extremely close and shared many childhood adventures together. At the age of seven, Judy accepted Christ at Mount Zion First Baptist Church, where her grandfather, Rev. William Crawford, had previously served as an Associate Minister. Maturing in her Christian faith, Judy was an engaged youth participating in bible drills, youth choir, and played the piano for Sunday School. She was active in the drama ministry and performed in plays under the directorship of her grandmother, M.A. Crawford. Judy and Eddie both enjoyed participating in their grandmother's dramatizations. She often told stories of how they were "two peas in a pod" and always looked out for one another.

Growing up in San Antonio, Judy attended Cuney Elementary, Douglas Junior High, and Brackenridge High School. She was an exemplary student, known for her outgoing personality and a member of the local Girl Scout troop. She also became a budding civil rights activist, as she witnessed inequities within her community. Judy was the first Black candy striper for Baptist Memorial Hospital’s junior auxiliary, where she was pinned for 500 volunteer hours.

After graduating high school in 1965, she enrolled in the nursing program at St. Philip's College. Studying at St. Philip's, Judy continued delivering excellent patient care while working at Lutheran General Hospital. It was evident that nursing was part of her DNA. She graduated co-valedictorian from St. Philip's with an associate degree in nursing and earned her Licensed Vocational Nursing Certification.     

Judy met Herbert James Anderson, Jr. at a young age. They were childhood neighbors, growing up on Paul Street on the city’s Eastside. On March 4, 1968, Judy accepted Herbert James’ hand in marriage in a small, intimate ceremony officiated by Rev. Claude W. Black, Jr. A few years later, the couple moved their family to Houston, Texas and Judy worked on the trauma floor at Ben Taub Hospital, which continues to be one of the nation’s best trauma facilities. The family then moved to Port Arthur, Texas, where Herbert James was one of the first Black civil engineers at the Texaco oil refinery and Judy was a nurse for the Port Arthur Public Health Department.

Judy immediately found a church home at First Sixth Street Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Ransom Howard. She served in several auxiliaries and numerous committees, such as the Baptist Training Union and the Matron Circle. She was appointed Youth Director by Rev. Howard and served in her role diligently. She organized engaging youth outings and retreats and encouraged other Port Arthur youth to join the church. Following her grandmother's legacy, Judy founded the drama ministry at First Sixth Street, producing and directing the annual "The Crucifixion Play." She was also a Woman’s Day chairperson, which she later had the honor of repeating at Mount Zion.

Working at the Port Arthur Health Department for nearly a decade, she was instrumental in launching the city’s WIC program. However, she wanted to get back to nursing, so she transitioned to Park Place Hospital. Judy and her family lived in Port Arthur for nearly 20 years, creating wonderful memories and forming many friendships that continue to the present day.

In 1989, Judy and her family moved back to San Antonio, where she transferred to Northeast Baptist Hospital and her family rejoined Mount Zion. Judy’s demonstrated leadership in nursing was immediately noticed among the doctors at Northeast Baptist, and she was encouraged to expand her knowledge and skill. In doing so, she enrolled in surgical nursing school and took her passion to the operating room. Although she was familiar with the challenges of integration, working as an operating room nurse, she faced stereotypes and elitist behavior by some doctors but also earned the respect of other doctors who became lifelong friends. She then transitioned to the San Antonio Public Health Department to manage the infectious diseases health program. Her extensive knowledge of public health, paired with her high-spirited personality, enabled her to obtain a role responsible for promoting and educating better health practices within communities of color.

At Mount Zion, Rev. Black appointed Judy as Youth Director due to her experience and success at First Sixth Street, and one of her first tasks was revitalizing the drama ministry her grandmother founded decades before. She also organized church retreats and founded the MZ’s, Mount Zion youth drill team.

Judy retired from the San Antonio Health Department and later became a nursing instructor at Gary Job Corps in San Marcos, Texas. She worked her way up to lead instructor and consistently achieved the highest student pass rate on the state exam for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and Medical Assistants (MA) certifications. She also served as president of the Gary Job Corps Lions Club during her tenure. Judy took great pride in producing excellent healthcare professionals who were well-trained. She shared her drive and compassion with her students and encouraged them to continue striving because, according to Judy, “There will always be a need for great nurses.” She encouraged her children, nieces, and nephews to pursue health careers, and for those who followed her path, she was especially pleased. Judy retired from Gary Job Corps after many years of service.   

Community activism is a cherished family value that Judy dutifully personified. Born and raised during Jim Crow, she observed intently her family’s posture in the community on equal rights and social justice for all matters. She knew her assignment and embodied the attributes of her parents, aunts, and uncles, who passed the torch of servant leadership to Judy to continue the family legacy. She was honored to serve and volunteer on city and school board political campaigns in Port Arthur and San Antonio and was a Guadalupe County delegate for the 2008 State Democratic Convention. She marched in protests and participated in several petitions for a prosperous Eastside.

She was a dedicated volunteer for the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and the American Diabetes Association. She’s also a charter member of The Original San Antonio Black Nurses Association, where she served on the executive board and participated in community events, setting up hydration stations and blood pressure checks during the city’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March. 

Additionally, Judy was a Silver Life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) San Antonio Branch. She coordinated the organization’s annual health fair and back-to-school health drive, chaired the Health and WIN (Women in the NAACP) committees, and served on the Freedom Dinner banquet committee. Throughout her decades of volunteerism and service, she served alongside many childhood friends and met new ones along the way who were dear to her.

A dedicated mother, Judy gave her best to her children. She passed on her faith in God and her can-do spirit and often reminded her children to “Keep their eye on the prize.” From youth choir practice and junior usher board meetings to football games, track meets, and cheerleading camps, Judy was involved in their many academic and extracurricular activities even the mandatory booster club participation. Her greatest parental joy was achieving grandparent status. Affectionately known as “Mimi” to the grands, she enjoyed spending quality time with them, developing their maturity in Christ and was intentional in building their confidence. She was a proud mom, grandmother, and aunt.

On May 29, 2022, Judy celebrated her 75th birthday with her family, and before the day ended, she received the greatest gift of all: eternal rest with her Savior. God received Judy in his bosom, and her spirit was refreshed.  

Judy’s legacy continues through her loving husband of 54 years, Herbert James Anderson, Jr.; three children: Toya Drake (Vernon), Herbert (Herbie) Anderson III, and Ja’Nise Solitaire (John); thirteen grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, sister-in-laws, and friends who will greatly miss her.  

Judy was preceded in death by her parents: Allie B. Floyd, Eddie Julian Freeman, Jr., and Clifton O. Floyd, Sr.; her brother, Eddie Freeman III; and an infant daughter, Herminia Delores Anderson.

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