Araminta Eldridge Anderson

Araminta Eldridge Anderson of Fort Washington, MD transitioned July 22, 2026.

Friday’s Child is Loving and Giving

-Traditional Nursery Rhyme

Araminta Elizabeth Virginia Eldridge Anderson (Minnie) was born on the 28th day of July in 1922, a Friday, to the late Robert, Sr. and Mary Clarke Eldridge. She was born at home and raised in Washington DC at the edge of Howard University (Fairmont St and later 4th Street), and then in Deanwood. She began her education in DC Public Schools, entering kindergarten two months after her 4th birthday and attending Deanwood Elementary, Shaw Junior High, and graduating from Dunbar High School in 1939 at age 16. She received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Education from Miner Teachers College in 1945 after taking a few years off to work at the US Census Bureau in Suitland Maryland. She received a Masters of Art Degree from New York University in 1960.

Araminta met the love of her life, Clarence E. Anderson (Si), in her neighborhood, Deanwood. They were childhood friends. They married in 1945 and from that union were born Candace and Rhawn. They raised their family in the Fort Stanton neighborhood in Southeast Washington, DC and became active members of the civic association. Araminta, and later Clarence, joined St John CME Church in Anacostia, where she became active in the usher board.

Araminta retired from DC Public Schools after more than 30 years as an elementary school teacher and counselor. After retiring, she, along with Si, cared for their grandchildren, Maurice and Amaleya, for a number of years until they began school, before relocating to Chapel Hill (Fort Washington), Maryland to care for her mother. Si soon joined her. While living in Chapel Hill, she became active at Grace United Methodist Church and joined several organizations, such as the Busy Bees, the Flower Ministry, and the United Methodist Women (now the United Women in Faith). She also became a member of the Chapel Hill Civic Association. In addition, she joined an education initiative and taught reading to ESL (English as second language) adult students. Her interest in reading was the basis of her extra-large collection of books spread out through several homes. She also attended senior exercise and other classes at Harmony Hall recreation center, along with water aerobics at the Allentown pool. For years before she stopped driving (at age 95), she attended annual senior driving seminars held by AAA, though she didn’t drive outside of the DC area.

Throughout her life, she was a great listener of jazz. Hence the large collection of records, tapes, and later CDs. Her favorites were Roy Eldridge, singers Sarah Vaughn, and Ella Fitzgerald, who in her later years performed with a band headed by Roy Eldridge. The Eldridge family, in fact, has a number of musicians, both professional and not, though Araminta was not one of them.

She enjoyed travel for herself and followed the trips of her family and friends. She kept maps, tracking areas she had visited, including the East and West Coasts of the US, but not so much the “middle”. She also visited Canada, the Caribbean, parts of Europe, and the Middle East, always with groups of friends and family.

She was a member of the Dunbar Alumni Federation. In addition, she was a member of the DC Retired Educators Association, Inc (DCREA) and a past member of Phi Delta Kappa professional organization for educators.

While in college, she pledged Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, a Black Greek Letter Organization, in the fall of 1943. She remained involved and active in activities over the years. Araminta was also a member of several social organizations. The V.E.T.S. was composed of her friends from college and remained active until the 2000s. They had monthly club activities hosted by specific members. Araminta’s month was June and the meal always included her greatly appreciated crab cakes and coleslaw.

She, in fact, maintained lifelong friendships and made new friends on a frequent basis. Once a friend, always a friend. This included children of her friends, and the friends of her children. Many of whom continued to visit her for years. She was a devoted wife, mother, friend, and a mentor to all.

Araminta (Minnie) transitioned on Wednesday July 22, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late Clarence Anderson Jr., and the cherished mother of late son Rhawn Anderson. She was predeceased by her parents Robert Sr., and Mary Clarke Eldridge, her brothers Robert Jr., Vasco, Taliaferro, and Earle.

She is survived by her daughter Candace Anderson Scales MD., son-in-law Philip Scales, grandson Lt Col Maurice Scales, granddaughter Amaleya Scales-Doctor, grandson in-law Shance Doctor, great grandchildren Hayden Roberts, and Shance II, and sister Mary (Jackie) Hayman, brother-in-law Eldon Hayman Sr., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Friends may visit with the family Saturday, August 22nd from 10 am until time of funeral service at 11 am at Grace United Methodist Church, 11700 Old Fort Road Fort Washington, MD 20744. Interment will be held 9:45 am on Monday, August 31, 2026 at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD.