Thomas Gayle Anders, of Wytheville, gained his heavenly home on Sunday, December 28th, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born the fifth of six children in the small town of Independence to Kilby and Lou Jean Hampton Anders. Those born during this period were marked by World War II and the hardships of the times. His family was part of a community that learned the value of hard work and Tommy was grateful for his upbringing. He was a simple man, and loved helping out his friends and neighbors. He was taught to make as much of a dollar as possible and to save for a rainy day. He did not like any new material things, and he was sure he had anything he would ever need, as well as what anyone else would ever need, in his garage. He carried his family’s values throughout his life. His desire to always help deemed him the “teacher’s pet” all the way through school. His friendly demeanor helped him to make friends in every situation. He knew no skin color, race, religion, or creed. He loved helping the less fortunate, hated confrontation, and always took the high road, even if it cost him.

He and his wife Gena were high school sweethearts, and both graduated from Independence High School in 1962. He went on to attend Berea College, Virginia Tech, and Wytheville Community College. He graduated from the UVA College of Banking and began a 25-year career in banking in Independence, moving his family over the mountain to Wytheville in 1984. He began his second career in real estate, purchasing Oral Jones Real Estate and Crowgey Bowen Realty, eventually merging the two and franchising into United Country Anders Realty. In his retirement years, he could be found outdoors, working in his landscaping or tinkering in his garage. He leaves a legacy of love and service to his churches, community, and especially to family and friends. Wytheville Community College Foundation Board was especially dear to his heart. Due to his challenges gaining higher education, he was passionate about making sure anyone wanting to further their education had the opportunity.

If he ever spent time with you at church, loaned you any money, helped any way with your finances, listed or sold your property, talked with you at a ball game, went to school with you, served on any board or on any service project, he was forever your friend. He was witty, mischievous, and loved to tease, especially children. Of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his family and tried his best to create values that would be passed on for generations to come. He worked hard to ensure his children were well taken care of and had opportunities to follow their dreams.

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn his passing following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Gene Anders and Rex Anders, two sisters, Phyllis Anders Calloway, and Pamela Anders Testerman, and a grandson Gannon Reed Anders. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Gena Boyer Anders; his children, Cari Anna Anders Mahan and husband, Allen; Thomas Mitchell “Mitch” Anders and wife Mary Lee; and Mary Suzanne “Molly” Anders Dalton and husband Kevin, all of Wytheville; his grandchildren, Grant Mitchell Anders, Caleb Allen Mahan and wife Micala, Grayson Anders Robertson and husband Bailey, Camden Anders Mahan and wife Liz, Morgan Reid Dalton, Carrie Sage Dalton, and Knox O’Neal Dalton; sister Charlotte Anders Bolt of Independence, and many special cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Tommy’s immediate family will join together in a private burial. A public visitation will take place on Sunday, January 4th, 2026 from 12pm-2pm, with a Celebration of Life to immediately follow at Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville. If you would like to honor his life and legacy, the family requests donations be made to the Wytheville Community College Foundation Board in his memory. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.