Dr. Cleasther “Cle” Anderson

July 3, 1937-November 8, 2021

On November 8, 2021, Dr. Cleasther “Cle” H. Anderson entered into eternal rest at the age of 84.  Her family called her, “Cle,” “Aunt Cle,” “Mama Cle,” or “Grandma Cle,”  To those of us in the field of adult education like her family, we knew her as “Cle.”  Cle joined the American Association for Adult Continuing Education (AAACE)  where she faithfully served for 18 years as the Association Manager and Director of Membership services.  In addition to this, prior to working with AAACE, she worked for several years at the National Science Foundation; and after her service to AAACE she worked in retail at Forman Mills in the Washington DC area.   

Cle graduated with a Bachelor Science Degree in Business Education from Fort Valley Stat College and continued with extensive graduate students in Guidance and counseling Education at For Valley State College, Fort Valley Georgia, she was crowned as Miss Fort Valley State. After a courageously short battle against cancer, Cle departed from this earth surrounded by her family.  The family shared in her obituary that Cle, “…is the loving wife of Robert S. Anderson for 48 years, the mother of five daughters, the Spiritual adopted mother and mentor of many of all ages.”  She was the founder of “More Than Conquering Women Inc.” author, “Victory in Spite of the Circumstances,” received an Honorary Doctorate in Biblical Studies/Divinity; and was honored as a Woman of Influence in the Prince Georges County Community at a luncheon for Senator C. Anthony Muse. 

I know many of us have very wonderful and loving memories of Cle and her contributions to the field of adult education.   I recall meeting Cle in the early to mid-ninety’s while I was a student at Northern Illinois University (NIU) and served as a member of the Board of Directors during that time. She was always available and willing to serve and provide me with information and assistance as a new Board member.   I know many of you knew her and have fond memories of her, as well as her daughter Krystal who supported and assisted her during the many conferences that Cle managed over the year.   Her spirit  and love for God was ever present in her work and life; and I am very grateful for what she did in AAACE as well as for us.

Submitted by AAACE President Vanessa Sheared