I just learned, courtesy of Preston Lauterbach* (https://thechitlincircuit.substack.com/p/rest-mrs-annye-c-anderson) that Mrs. Annye Anderson passed away July 3. Annye Anderson was the sister of Robert Johnson (technically his step-sister, but ignoring biology she was very much his sister.)
Two years ago, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Anderson. Some of the nuggets from that conversation will feature in the chapter on “Come on In My Kitchen.” She was generous with her time, charming to speak with, sharp as a tack, and for someone who at the time was 97 years old, possessed of an amazingly clear memory. In some ways speaking to her was like speaking with a ghost; She was born April 20, 1926, in Memphis, and recalled growing up in Jim Crow era Tennessee, attending segregated schools in the 1930s. But while she grew up poor and with all the challenges that came with being a black woman in the pre-civil rights south, Mrs. Anderson went on to earn a Masters degree from Boston University, work for a judge (Arthur Garrity who famously issuing the 1974 order mandating that Boston schools be desegregated), and teach in the Boston school system. She talked about the importance of phonics and a good thesaurus, her love of gardening, especially her collard greens and kale spinach. And she shared her views on music and musicians (she liked Johnny Cash but “didn’t care too much for Bob Dylan.”) And of course she spoke about Robert Johnson, his musical influences, and the music he played on the porch of their house in Memphis.
After 99 years, Annye Anderson has gone to join her Brother Robert. I am honored to have been able to meet her.
Her full obituary here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/franklincountynow/name/annye-anderson-obituary?id=58848004
Rest in peace Mrs. Anderson.
* I highly recommend Preston’s books, especially “The Chitlin’ Circuit: And the Road to Rock ‘n’ Roll”, “Before Elvis: The African American Musicians Who Made the King”, and “Brother Robert” (co-authored with Annye Anderson), all of which have been valuable sources for the book I am writing on the origins of the music recorded by the Allman Brothers Band. Preston was also kind enough to connect me to Mrs. Anderson.
The Unbroken Circle 