Mary Lou Dempsey (Anderson) was born March 5, 1941 in Waveland, Arkansas to C.D. and Mary (Drake) Dempsey. She passed from this life on September 7, 2023 in Odessa, Texas. When she was five, her family moved to Odessa, where she lived the remainder of her life. 

On June 23, 1959 Mary Lou married Wilford Wayland (Sonny) Anderson. Throughout her life, Mary Lou was involved in many activities. She graduated from Odessa High School in 1959 and stayed friends with her classmates. She worked for a time in the cafeteria of Bowie Junior High School and also part time for the City of Odessa, but most of her time was spent volunteering in the community. She served Head Start, Meals on Wheels, Medical Center Hospital Stroke Support Group, and the HEB Feast of Sharing. Her great love however, was serving Medical Center Hospital. She began working with the Auxiliary in March of 1984, amassing over 10,000 hours of volunteer time, and making lifelong friends. 

In 2010, Mary Lou was elected to the Ector County Hospital District Board of Directors where she served thirteen years helping to lead our local health care system into a brighter future. Mary Lou was a Baptist and an active member of Westside Christian Church. 

Mrs. Anderson is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 47 years, and her brother Harlon Dempsey. 

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Anderson and husband Roy Watson. She is also survived by her son, Scott and wife Lisa Anderson, her grandson Trevor and wife Chelsea Anderson. Her great-grandsons, Waylon Scott and Willie Price captivated her and she was eagerly anticipating the arrival in 2024 of new baby Wendel Ray. She is also survived by nephew David Demsey and his family, and other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation for Mary will be held Tuesday, September 12, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home, 601 N Alleghaney Ave, Odessa, Texas 79761. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. 

Mary will be laid to rest in Ector County Cemetery, 300 S Dixie Blvd, Odessa, Texas 79761.

Honorary pallbearers are Trevor Anderson, Larry Eads, Garry Garner, Michael Marrero, Steve Patton, Paul Peterson, and Phillip Urrutia.

The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to Russell Tippin, Bryn Dodd, and the staff and volunteers at Medical Center as well as the compassionate workers at Focused Care Nursing Facility.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hubbardkellyfuneralhome.com for the Anderson family.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/odessa-tx/mary-anderson-11439059