Benjamin Anderson Obituary, Cedartown – Following a brief bout with illness, Dr. Benjamin S. Anderson, Jr., who resided in Cedartown and was 88 years old, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Although Dr. Anderson was born in Dothan, Alabama on February 23, 1936, he spent the majority of his childhood months in Fort Valley, Georgia, where he also attended school. Benjamin S. Anderson, Sr. and Lula M. Anderson, both of whom were professionals in the field of education in the vicinity of Fort Valley College, were his parents.
Both of his parents and his wife, Sandra Anderson, passed away before he did during his lifetime. He is survived by his three children, Kevin Anderson (and his wife, Laverne), Dr. Carita Anderson Aldridge (and her husband, Andrew), and Benjamin S. Anderson III; as well as his grandkids, Richard Aldridge, Kelton Aldridge, Chandler Aldridge, Olivia Anderson, Erin Anderson, Ethan Anderson, and Ian Anderson.
In 1962, Dr. Anderson received his medical degree from Meharry Medical School in Nasville, Tennessee, after having attended Fisk College in Nashville, Tennessee. After spending a year working at Homer Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, he relocated to Cedartown and established a private practice in family medicine. This career was successful up until the year 2020, when he decided to retire.
During his lifetime, he was honored with a number of accomplishments, honors, and recognitions; however, the most significant honor he received was being appointed to the Board of Human Resources for the state of Georgia by Jimmy Carter, the governor of Georgia. In addition to being a member of the Georgia State Medical Association, he worked at Polk Medical Center on multiple occasions between the years 1965 and 2020, rising through the ranks to become the Chief of Staff. It was common to see Dr. Anderson out and about along his route, engaging in conversation with members of the community.
He would also make frequent visits to the hospital to check in with the staff, who would always have cool water ready for him. Dr. Anderson was an extremely avid jogger. It was clear that Dr. Anderson had a deep affection for his neighborhood. A great number of people will remember him with affection as “DR. BEN.” The Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Valley, Georgia is in charge of making the necessary arrangements at this time. It is planned that a memorial service for the local community will be announced at a later time. It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the demise of Dr. Benjamin S. Anderson, Jr., for the Smith & Miller Funeral Home.
