Obituary of Casandra J. Anderson

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why you call it "the present." On January 30, 2017 our beautiful Mother was called home. Casandra J. Anderson was born in Rochester, New York to Ernest Anderson and Joan Marshall on March 7, 1954. Casandra, a product of Rochester City Public Schools, graduated from James Madison High School in 1972. After high school, Casandra worked at the telephone company for five years. In 1978, General Motors hired Casandra as factory worker. During her employment, Casandra worked in several positions on the General Motors assembly line. She took interest in the workers' representation and served on the UAW-IUE 509 local labor relations committee. She was always an enthusiastic advocate for factory workers and labor relations. She retired from General Motors after 30 years of service. Not one to sit idle, after retirement she took on a part time position with the Rochester City School District at School #16 and School #4 where she enjoyed being referred to as "the lunch lady" by students. Casandra always kept a smile on her face for the staff and students and didn't hesitate to provide word of advice when needed. She joined Zion Hill Missionary in the early 90's and she was a very active member. Casandra was a tremendous, exceptional, marvelous, loving, affectionate, and devoted Mother. She truly enjoyed spending time with her five children. She never hesitated to express her loyalty, dedication, and enthusiasm for her children and their accomplishments. She frequently traveled to Atlanta, GA and Laurel, MD to visit her two daughters and participated in plenty of fun activities and quality time with her two youngest children. Casandra had a very close and intimate relationship with her children. It was required that she speak to her children on the phone daily, sometimes twice or three times a day. Her children were her life as she frequently conveyed to close friends and family. With her children, Casandra went to NFL football games, NBA basketball games, baseball games, visited museums in Atlanta and Washington, DC, vacationed in California, patronized a myriad of restaurants, went to comedy shows, plays, movies, church, La Tea Da, and frequently danced with them in the living room. Casandra was also very close to her sisters and brother. She communicated via telephone with her sisters daily and visited all her siblings frequently. Casandra leaves to mourn her passing, her five children, Darnell (Shereen) Anderson, Nakia "Nikki" Scott, Cashawn Merritt, Cashay Merritt, and Carlton Merritt Jr., six grandchildren, Kiera, Kevon, Darshay, Ayanna, Jasmine, and Jayda, four sisters, Audrey Carroll, Beverly (Charles) Lofton-Williams, Linda (John) Anderson-Blackwell, Wendy (Ralph) Barnett, and a brother, Charles (Joy) L. Hayward, and many other family and friends. Calling hours were held on Thursday, February 9, 5-8PM, at D.M. Williams Funeral Home, 2793 Culver Rd. Her Homegoing Celebration was held on Friday, February 10, 11AM, at Zion Hill Baptist Church, 250 Dr. Samuel McCree Way. Rev. Dr. Richard Douglass, Pastor. Interment, Riverside Cemetery.