The Angels came down from Heaven on Thursday November 17, 2016 and escorted Essie Anderson from labor to reward at Memorial Regional Hospital. She was born on January 28, 1933 to her mother Hazel Rawlings and her father Jenkin Trueheart. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her first husband and children's father Ellis Wills Sr., her son Ellis Wills Jr., her husband Sherman Anderson, three brothers, and two sisters.

Essie attended King William Public Schools. She joined Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age, after marriage she joined with her husband, the Mangohick Baptist Church and has been a faithful member. She loved her family, her pastor, and her church family and had a special love for the Mangohick Men's Chorus. She never missed a Sunday (Smile). Essie was a faithful member of the Second Mount Zion Baptist Church's "Rock of Ages" and a member of the Mangohick "Senior First Ministry".

Essie I. Anderson was employed by Caroline Public School for 41 years in transportation. She loved to fish so much that she would leave home early in the morning and fish all day then return home late in the evening with an empty bucket and a smile on her face. She loved to play bidwisk and thought she and Conway Taylor were the best around. Her favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys. Poor souls to all that were fans of the Washington Redskins. Essie loved working crossword puzzles. The doors of her home hung open, welcome to all, no matter who they were. Essie raised a lot of children and her sweet spirit was like no other.

She leaves to cherish her memory five daughters Verna Wills, Joyce Harris, Elmira Clarke (Forrest), Alto Wills (Friend Harold Bailey),and Cynthia Spurlock (Timothy), five Godchildren Easter Sims, Louise Derricott, Cynthia Winston, Rennie Wills, and  James Anderson Jr. Eight grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, six sisters Hannah Gray, Sallie Harris (George), Sarah Gresham, Lois Rawlings, Pam Rawlings, and Robin Rawlings, two brothers-in-law Douglas Anderson (Sarah) and Sammy Anderson, three sisters-in-law Janie Edwards, Elaine Anderson, and Dorothy Trueheart, two devoted friends Harriet Harris and Gloria Johnson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.