Patricia "Pat" Hortman Anderson

Funston, Georgia – Patricia Hortman Anderson, 87, of Funston, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at her daughter’s residence in Tifton.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 10, 2025, at Cobb Funeral Chapel, with the Reverend Chip Grantham officiating. Private interment will be at Funston City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 AM, Friday, at Cobb Funeral Chapel.

Born in Doerun, Georgia on March 31, 1938, Patricia was the daughter of the late JT and Ruth Hortman.

Pat graduated from Doerun High School in 1956, and went on to attend Valdosta State College where she obtained her Bachelor of Education degree. Pat was a lifelong learner, a kid at heart, and spent her life devoted to the education of children. Pat married the love of her life, Robert Eugene “Gene” Anderson, on August 30, 1959. As she always said with a smile, after they married, she “moved way up in the world,” all the way from Doerun to Funston (about nine miles), where they lived for 47 years prior to Gene’s passing in 2006.

A life-long educator, Pat loved all of her children, no matter how much time had passed since they were in her classroom. She taught for 42 years in the Colquitt County School System, at various schools and early childhood grade levels, impacting the lives of more than 1,000 students throughout her career. After retirement, she began substitute teaching and eventually was elected to the Colquitt County Board of Education, a post she held for 11 years. Pat was devoted to her community and career in many ways, also serving as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the Lions Club, and the president of the Colquitt County Association of Educators.

Pat is also remembered for her many years at the softball field and basketball courts, never missing an opportunity to support her daughter Nancy. She was known and loved by Nancy’s teammates and later players, always there to cheer them on.

Pat is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Nancy Anderson Mark of Tifton, and her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Caylor and Turner Orr of Tifton. Pat is also survived by her sisters, Charlotte Hurst and Jane McCarty, both of Doerun, Georgia, and sisters-in-law Janette Anderson of Perry, Georgia and Jean Anderson of Watkinsville, Georgia. Also surviving Pat are nieces and nephews, Charla and Jeff Campbell, Thomas and Melissa Hurst, Janna and Harold Eidson, Beth Richardson, and Amy Peterson; great nieces and nephews, Lynsey and Timothy Bell, Rebekah and Mike Sanders, Elaine and Tyler Powell, Aubrey and Jenson McCarty, Cameron Brinson, Alaina Campbell, Andy Richardson, Roxi Peterson and Naomi Peterson; and great great nieces and nephews, Braden Bell, Kylan Bell, Layton Bell, Keaton Bell, Iverson Powell, Evelyn Powell, and Mathis McCarty.

Pat is preceded in death by her loving husband, Gene Anderson, brother-in-law Jim Anderson, brother-in-law Joel Anderson, and nephew Franklin “Frankie” McCarty.

May the memory of Pat bring peace and comfort to all who knew and loved her.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the Lions Club.

Cobb Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.