Elizabeth Holley Anderson

Elizabeth Holley Anderson, 59, of Waco, a respected public relations professional and former TV broadcaster, died Saturday, July 1, 2023, at her home in Waco.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. The Celebration of a Life well lived will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 7, at Crestview Church of Christ, 7129 Delhi Rd, in Waco with Jordan Hubbard officiating. A private family graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery.

She was born Elizabeth Ann Holley in Waco on Aug. 6, 1963, to the late Ruth Chenault Holley and Jerry Don Holley. She grew up at Crestview Church of Christ with her loving family. She graduated in 1981 from Richfield High School.

After graduating in 1987 from Abilene Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Liz went to work for KIDY-TV in San Angelo. She described herself as “basically a one-man-band who shot, edited, reported, produced and anchored the 6 p.m. news each weekday.” She also was the KIDY weather person. Liz worked as a general assignments reporter for a Savannah, Ga., TV station from 1988 to 1990. At KETK-TV in Longview, she was a news anchor for one of the first dual-female news teams in the United States.

In 2002, Liz and then-husband Bage Anderson founded E.H. Anderson Public Relations, a Waco-based full-service communications firm whose clients included businesses, towns and cities and a variety of organizations throughout Texas. In addition to her work, she devoted her time, talent and resources to Vanguard College Prep, Executive Director of the Waco Business League, Council for Life Central Texas and the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce. She also was an enthusiastic supporter of son Jackson’s music endeavors and, in the words of daughter Holley, “my imagination and entrepreneurial spirit.”

Liz loved nothing more than spending time with friends and family. During the summer, Liz loved sitting in the pool no matter what day of the week. Watching Jackson and Holley perfect their dives were especially exciting for her. One of Liz’s favorite activities was to attend concerts of her favorite musicians with her loved ones. She would travel far and wide to enjoy great music, including her son’s. Besides Jackson, Donny and Marie Osmond were her favorite artists. She saw Donny and Marie so often in Vegas that they recognized her years later at their show in Shreveport. She and Jackson shared a special bond over music while she and Holley’s favorite activity was putting together fabulous outfits. Liz was a devotee of Queen Elizabeth II. She watched every minute of any royal ceremony, typically with her dear friend Hatch Bailey. She loved gardening and was especially proud of her passion flowers, which she nurtured from sprigs to full blooms. Liz was an expert at cooking fried chicken, many people raved about her chicken that her mother taught her to make. She loved her children more than anyone in the world. They have become incredible adults because of her nurturing and direction.

Survivors include her children, Jackson Wyatt Anderson of Nashville, Tenn., and Holley Marie Anderson of Waco; brothers, Don Holley and his wife, Janice and Jim Holley and his wife, Mosie, all of Waco; nephews, Ben Holley of Los Angeles and Dan Holley of Waco; nieces, Catherine Holley of Waco, Joanna Rogers of West and Caroline Wolf of Waco; numerous cousins; special friend, Hatch Bailey; and her two loyal dogs, Honey and Sheldon.

Pallbearers were Brady Currey, Barry Currey, Kenny Holley, Dan Holley, Ben Holley and Sherman Steig.

Memorials may be made to Council for Life Central Texas (208 Hewitt Dr, Suite 103 Waco, TX 76712) American Cancer Society (1512 Lake Air Dr. Waco, TX 76710) Meals on Wheels Waco (501 W. Waco Dr. Waco, TX 76707) or the charity of your choice.