Ruth Evelyn Finley was born in Temple Texas to Felix and Olivia Finley on September 5, 1930. She graduated from Dunbar High School in 1947. After graduation, she attended Prairie View A&M College from 1948-1952 where she earned a B.A. in Education, with a minor in Music.

In 1952 she received her first teaching assignment at O.J. Thomas High School in Cameron, Texas. There she was an elementary instructor and the choral director. In that first year her school competed in the Prairie View Interscholastic League in music and the male quartet that she directed won first place.

In that same year, she met Willie J. Anderson who was a teacher at OJTHS. Two years later they were united in holy matrimony on October 21st 1954 which began a 57 year marriage. To this union two children were born, Michael and Marchele. She was a devoted wife and mother.

She was a faithful and dedicated member of Bethlehem First Baptist Church. While at Bethlehem she was the youth choir director, a member of the Inspirational Choir, and she served in other capacities at the church.

She was a teacher for Tyler ISD for 36 years, primarily at W.A. Peete and T.J. Austin Elementary Schools. She retired from the career that she loved in 1990 but continued to substitute teach for an additional 17 years.

She was also a proud member of the Tyler Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Willie J. Anderson, and brother, Charles "Bubba" Finley.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories; son Michael L. Anderson (Dallas, Tx); daughter Marchele L. Anderson (Desoto, TX.);grandson Adryll Warren (Tyler, TX.) ;granddaughter Akila Anderson (Cedar Hill, Tx.); one niece, Paulette Danzy (Killeen, Tx.) and a host of other relatives and friends.