Susie Phelps Anderson

Mrs. Susie Jane Phelps Anderson, age 99, of Clemmons, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026 — right on cue, as the snow began to fall outside the picture window of her beloved home in Old Meadowbrook. Ever punctual and always with a flair for timing, Susie slipped peacefully into eternity just as winter announced itself. Born December 14, 1926, in Davie County, she was the daughter of the late Willie and Addie Beauchamp Phelps. A lifelong member of Mocks Methodist Church, Susie lived her faith daily — with a Bible always open on the breakfast table and a pie cooling somewhere nearby. She retired from Western Electric and was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Jake Rupert Anderson (known to all as “Andy”), as well as her siblings: John Phelps, Lucy Phelps, Nell Lee Phelps Burton, and Maxine Phelps Bailey. Raised on the family farm on Mocks Church Road in Advance, Susie learned early that hard work was not optional — but complaining was. Given a choice by her mother between working the fields or cooking for the farmhands, Susie wisely chose the kitchen and the garden, a decision the community would benefit from for decades to come. By sunrise, biscuits, sausage, eggs, or country ham were expected on the table by 6 a.m., with beans and cornbread for lunch and a proper supper every night — complete with meat, vegetables, fresh bread, and homemade desserts. That upbringing made Susie one of the finest Southern cooks Mocks Church ever knew. Her famous coconut cream pie and chocolate pie never lasted long at church picnics or family gatherings, and anyone who arrived late learned a hard lesson about punctuality. After graduating from Shady Grove High School, Susie began her career at Western Electric in Winston-Salem. During World War II, she served as a Shift Supervisor on the assembly line as the company produced vital radar and radio systems for the U.S. military — technology that helped protect countless lives. Susie was proud of her work, though she rarely mentioned it unless pressed. Following retirement, Susie and Andy enjoyed gardening, traveling to Myrtle Beach, and opening their home to family and friends. Though they suffered the loss of their only child through miscarriage, their love poured generously into nieces and nephews — especially after the Andersons installed an in-ground swimming pool in the 1970s. Sunday afternoons after church were legendary, featuring homemade ice cream, watermelon, and whatever else Susie had decided everyone needed that day. Susie delighted in creativity. A talented painter and floral designer, she was especially fond of painting Santa Clauses — Old World Santas, jolly Santas, silly Santas dressed as cowboys, pool floaters, Easter bunnies, and everything in between. Her basement shelves eventually held more than 1,000 hand-painted Santas, at which point she decided it was only reasonable to start giving them away to anyone who stood still long enough. Hospitality was Susie’s greatest gift. No one entered her home without being offered something sweet — she baked a cake or pie every day of her life except Sundays — and no one left without a gift, whether it was a jar of her famous pickles, homemade tomato catsup, or something she quietly pressed into your hands “just because.” She also lived by the Farmer’s Almanac, trusted her garden instincts, and harvested summer bounty year after year. Her advice was simple and non-negotiable: “Never get old.” She regularly reminded young people: “No drinking, no smoking, don’t dip or chew or run with those that do — and no cussing, either.” All that clean living served Susie well. She lived 99 years with remarkably few illnesses and a sharp, sound mind. A devoted lover of Christmas and all things gold, we can only imagine her delight upon entering Heaven. Jesus has likely already placed her in charge of the Garden Club — and perhaps the dessert table, too. Susie Jane Phelps Anderson leaves behind a legacy of faith, humor, hospitality, and love — and a community forever better fed, better loved, and better reminded to mind their manners. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Mocks Church in Advance on Thursday, January 29th, 2026 at 2:00pm officiated by Pastor Gary Marshall. Special music will be provided by Mrs. Anderson’s nieces, Donna Burton Tkach and Ali Spencer Cranfill, and members of the Mocks Church Praise Team. A graveside service will immediately follow. Pallbearers will be her great-grandnephews: Brad Burton, Ben Burton, Tristan Phelps, Landon Phelps, Sterling Tkach, and Luke Cranfill. The family is being served by Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home Kinderton Chapel. The family would also like to express their sincere gratitude to Trellis of Davie County and Winston-Salem for the compassionate hospice care provided, as well as to the dedicated caregivers of Yellow Butterfly of Mocksville, Jasmine Robinson and Krystal Lewis-Benson, whose kindness and devotion brought great comfort.