Lovith Anderson Sr.

The honorable Mr. Lovith Anderson, Sr. was born October 8, 1930 in Nesmith, SC to the late York and Mary Anderson.

As a young boy, Mr. Anderson had the desire to better himself and the lives of those he touched. He often told the story of him being six years old in the field picking cotton when he saw the little white kids going to school. He asked his father why did he have to pick their cotton and their children were going to school. I believe this stirred something in his father's spirit. Mr. York said to Lovith, "Son, if that's the way you feel,drop the sack." Lovith dropped the sack! He was taken to Kingstree, SC to live with some family members.

Being reared in a Christian home, he joined Greater St. Mark AME Church at an early age. There he served on the Steward Board and was a member of the Senior Choir. He was a Class Leader and Sunday School teacher for the men until his health began to decline. Even then he still supported his church through continuing to send in his tithes and offerings. As his health continued to decline, he joined Kingdom Living Temple of Florence with his wife. There they served under the leadership of Pastor Leo Woodberry. He especially enjoyed the Praise and Worship portion of the services.

Lovith, Sr. was educated in the public schools of Williamsburg County. He was a 1948 honor graduate of Tomlinson High School. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army in December of 1948. He served his country faithfully and received an honorable discharge on October 20, 1955. He took great pride in being a Korean War veteran. He was selected to serve on the team for the original testing of the atomic bomb.
He lived in Camden, New Jersey where he began his entrepreneurial journey by opening and owning his first barbershop. He later moved to Philadelphia, PA. There he opened his second barbershop while working construction demolition. He returned to Lake City in the late sixties. Full of energy and ready to fight for his people, he was the first Black to run for any type of public office in the city of Lake City. He served on the School Board, Voters' League and was a member of the NAACP. He attended Florence -Darlington Technical Collge to become a certified welder and later taught Welding classes at Williamsburg Technical College. Lovith, Sr. went on to recieve his Real Estate liscense and began working at Brown and Company for a number of years. He was the first Black real estate agent in Lake City.
Later he moved to Andrews, SC. In 1991 he was the first Black to run for mayor. He won and served as mayor of Andrews from 1991 until 2001. Lovith, Sr. served as president of the SC Conference of Black Mayors. He also owned and operated his third barbershop in Andrews while presiding as mayor.
Lovith, Sr. leaves to cherish his memories: a loving and devoted wife Evangelist Christine Brayboy Anderson of the home; five sons, Lovith (Willie Mae) Anderson Jr, Elijah Anderson both of Lake City, Tony Anderson and Tyrone (Rosalyn) Goodrum both of Florence, and Lovith Donnell Anderson of Andrews; one sister, Merlene Barron of Philadelphia PA; seventeen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; five sisters-in-law,Elma B. (Charles) Turner, Geneva Anderson and Jackie Moore, all of Lake City, Louise Anderson and Annie Laura Brayboy, both of Florence; four brothers-in-law, Nathaniel (Annette)Brayboy of Hemingway, Larry (Mary) Brayboy of Lake City, Gary (Greta) Brayboy of Olanta and Jimmie Lee of Lake City and a host of neices,nephews, other relatives and friends. His caretaker family at Bethea Retirement Home includes Alexis Cooks, Shameka Griffin, Diane Miner, Michelle Smalls, Donna Catoe and Iris Davis.