Deborah Lynn Anderson

Deborah Lynn Anderson, daughter of Harvey Rannels and Dorothy (McIntyre) Rannels, was born Sunday, June 21, 1953, in Harrisburg, PA, the eldest of four girls. Along with her sisters, Cynthia, Marcia and Karen, she was raised in a prominent sacred family. She was a graduate of John Harris High School. After thirty-one years, she retired from the Pennsylvania State Senate where she held the position of Executive Secretary for five different senators. In 1980, Sister Debbie married Harold C. Anderson Jr. They shared thirty-two years together and were blessed with two sons, David and Bryon; daughter, Charisse; and four grandchildren, Christian, Dashileigh, Krystiana and Brianna. A faithful and dedicated seventy-year member of the North 17th Street Church of God, Harrisburg, PA, Sister Debbie, beginning at age thirteen, served as Church Pianist for fifty years playing for the church choir and most of the youth choirs. In 1990, operation of the Food Pantry was passed on to Sister Debbie and her sister, Karen. Sister Debbie ran the Food Pantry for twenty-four years and gained recognition as having the best operated Food Pantry in the City of Harrisburg. The Food Bank was very impressed with Sister Debbie’s paperwork organization and her self-made forms. These same forms were adopted for use in statewide Food Pantries. Upon relocation of the Food Bank to a larger facility, Sister Debbie was chosen to represent citywide Food Pantries. Along with Governor Tom Ridge, she spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony and received citywide press coverage. Under her guidance, Sister Clara Lewis, Sister Laura Stevens, Sister Cynthia Lopez and Sister Rosalie McMillion received thorough training on the efficient and effective operation of a Food Pantry. Additionally, Sister Debbie served as a Sunday School Teacher for five years; Church Secretary for five years; Vice President of the Usher Board for three years and with the Church’s Leadership Team. Among her relaxing and enjoyable leisure times were giving piano lessons, knitting, reading and working puzzles. While at the River’s Bend Health and Rehab Center, Harrisburg, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, Sister Debbie triumphantly entered into eternal life at seventy years of age. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Dorothy Rannels; husband, Harold C. Anderson Jr.; and sister, Karen (Rannels) Frisby. Sister Deborah Lynn Anderson leaves a legacy of love, selfless devotion and faith to be honored and cherished by her children, David Anderson, Charisse Anderson and Bryon Anderson; her grandchildren, Christian Anderson, Dashileigh (Anderson) Mills, Krystiana Anderson and Brianna Anderson; sisters, Cynthia (Rannels) Lopez and Marcia (Rannels) Dunlap; brothers-in-law, Robert Lopez and T. K. Dunlap; nephew and nieces, Sean Rannels, Genese Rannels, Brianna Frisby and Kiaya Frisby; as well as other family members and friends. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CLICK ON THE SHARE A MEMORY TAB TO POST VIDEOS, SHARE MEMORIES, CONDOLENCES, REFLECTIONS OR SIMPLY LEAVE YOUR NAME.

Tributes

Deborah Lynn Anderson

June 21, 1953 - March 12, 2024