Mr. Ezell “Scope” Anderson was born near Lexington, (Acona) Mississippi.  He was one of 16 children born to the late Reverend and Mrs. Daniel Anderson.

At an early age, he was converted and joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church of Lexington, Mississippi.

He attended the public Schools of the Valley View and Mount Olive communities.

During his high school days he became a baseball enthusiast. He was a catcher for the Mount Olive School and the community baseball teams.  This interest in baseball lasted throughout his life.
A veteran of World War I, he and his first wife, Everlena, moved to Mound Bayou in the early 20’s from Berclair near Itta Bena, Miss.  She passed away a few years thereafter.

After moving to Mound Bayou he joined the First Baptist Church where he remained a member until his death.

He was employed by the late C. M. Powell in the Powell Undertaking Establishment.  When the main office of the Powell Funeral Corporation was moved to Chicago, “Mr. Ezell,” as he was called, was left to manage the Mound Bayou Funeral Home.  Upon the death of Mr. C. M. Powell the business was purchased by the Delta Burial Corporation of Marks, Mississippi, and “Mr. Ezell” was employed by them as Funeral Director of the Mound Bayou Branch.  Here he managed the business with honesty and efficiency until his death.

After having been a widower for several years, he was married to Miss Margaret Mullins of Boyle, Mississippi.  She preceded him in death on Easter Sunday, March 29, 1959.  To this union was born one daughter, Vera, who survives them.

His interest in the growth and development of Mound Bayou was evidenced by the face that he served as town Alderman for a number of years, and that he and his wife, Margaret, owned and operated successfully Vera’s Variety Store and Marzell Motel.

For about fourteen years he was Town Marshal, and at the time of his death was a highly respected Deputy Sheriff of Bolivar County.

He was well known and liked by Negro and White Citizens of the entire Delta Area.
The following organization knew him as a brother: The Knights of Tabor, The Masons, The Elks, The American Legion and the Mississippi Funeral Directors’ Association.

His long life of dedicated service to mankind cam to an end on Sunday, May 24, 1964 at 6:45 a.m. in the Taborian Hospital of Mound Bayou.

He leaves to mourn his passing a devoted daughter, Mrs. Vera Anderson Ford, of Los Angeles, California; a son-in-law, three grandsons; two brothers: Mr. Matthew Anderson of Mound Bayou and Mr. Charles Spurgeon Anderson of St. Paul, Minnesota; two sisters: Mrs. Zee Anderson Barron of Mound Bayou, and Mrs. Anna Anderson Jackson of St. Louis, Missouri; several nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters and brothers-in-law, “old buddies” and many friends.

(Funeral Program: Ezell Anderson)