Ernest Anderson

“It’s all in the presentation,” Ernest often said and what a presentation his life truly was.

Ernest Rogers Anderson, Jr., 83, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, October 27, 2025. Charismatic and accomplished, Ernest lived with curiosity, confidence, and unmistakable style. He was a gifted athlete, a keen intellect, a lifelong learner, and a man who genuinely delighted in people. Above all else, he was a deeply loved and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend.

A Celebration of Life honoring Ernest will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at McCullough Funeral Home, 417 S. Houston Lake Road, Warner Robins, Georgia. Visitation will take place from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service in the chapel at 2:00 p.m. The family warmly invites guests to a reception immediately following the service at The Farmhouse at McCullough Funeral Home.

Born in Kingstree, South Carolina, Ernest was the eldest son of Ernest Roger’s Anderson, Sr. and Marie Johnson Anderson. The family later moved to Fort Valley, Georgia, where Ernest spent most of his formative years and where he made a lasting impression. A 1960 graduate of Fort Valley High School, Ernest was President of both his junior and senior classes, a member of the Key, Dramatic, and Latin Clubs, and an outstanding athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and golf. A natural communicator even then, he was also a member of the Debate team and participated in One Act plays.

Ernest continued his education at The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree from the prestigious Henry Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications. There, he hone the presentation skills, leadership, and creativity that would define his career. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Advertising degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

His professional journey began at Leo Burnett advertising agency in Chicago, Illinois before he returned to Atlanta, Georgia as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of McCann Erickson, then the largest advertising agency in the Southeast. A master communicator with a sharp creative eye, Ernest was instrumental in new business development and led major accounts including Coca-Cola, Chick-fil-a, Green Giant Foods, and Nestle. His career later took him to Washington D.C, and Greenville, South Carolina before he embraced entrepreneurship and founded Anderson Advertising in Atlanta, Georgia.

Giving back to his profession and Alma mater was a source of great pride. Ernest served on the Journalism Advisory Board of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and was Vice Chairman of the Atlanta Advertising Council, where he received the Aid to Advertising Education Award from the American Advertising Federation. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Fraternity, the American Association of Advertising Agencies, and the American Marketing Association. His appreciation for the arts was reflected in his service on the boards of both the Atlanta Ballet and the Atlanta Symphony.

Beyond his career, Ernest had a lifelong passion for golf. As a member of Cherokee Town and Country Club in Atlanta, Georgia, he forged enduring friendships that would take him across the country and around the world playing many golf courses and creating memories and camaraderie that he would treasure.

In later years, Ernest and his beloved wife Deena made their home in Byron, Georgia. Never one to sit still, he traded suits and golf shoes for athletic gear and embraced daily workouts at the gym. One of his greatest joys was lifting weights alongside his grandson, Jackson during his visits. They had a bond built on encouragement, laughter and mutual admiration.

Family was Ernest’s heart. He cherished time spent at the beach with his daughter Laine and her family, discussing books with his son Ernest and lots of family gatherings with his parents, siblings, and extended family. He was genuinely interested in the lives of others. Conversations with him were never rushed; he listened, he engaged, and he made you feel seen and heard. He was endlessly interesting and we all loved talking with him.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 61 years, Deena Marie Anderson of Byron, Georgia; his daughter, Laine West, and her husband Jeff of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and his grandson, Jackson West of San Diego, California. He is also survived by his sisters, Ellen Whitmer and her husband George of Jacksonville, Florida and Louise Brockington and her husband, Sam of Athens, Georgia; his sister-in-law Nancy Wilson of Macon, Georgia and six nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Ernest Rogers Anderson III and Patrick Hartley Anderson; his parents, Ernest Rogers Anderson, Sr., and Marie Johnson Anderson; brother, William McNair Anderson; and brother-in-law, Emory Clyde Wilson, Jr.

Ernest’s life was indeed all in the presentation and it was unforgettable.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to RIF (Reading is Fundamental) or to your local library.

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube page.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.