Anthem Leigh Eder, age 56, was born in Springfield, MO on December 16, 1963 and was called home by God to her heavenly home on October 8, 2020 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Anthem was the daughter of Jackie Dale Eder and Carol June (Herbold) Eder.
Anthem began her education with kindergarten through 12th grade at Thayer School where she was active in sports, Beta Club, Girls State, state winner of Voice of Democracy and Valedictorian of the Class of 1982. The fall of 1982 she entered Burge School of Nursing for a 3 year RN diploma, and then Drury University for a BSN in Biology and Nursing and a Masters in Education. Her career began at Cox South Medical Center as a cardiac ICU nurse. ER, NICU and Hospital Supervisor. She retired from nursing in 2006 and began a second career as a science and physics teacher and school nurse for Chadwick Schools. She moved home in 2010 and was the first off campus director for Ozarka College at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. Due to her declining health, she finally retired in 2015.
Anthem served as president for Thayer Alumni, member of the Mammoth Spring Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and Missouri Nurses Association.
On Mother’s Day 1971 at age 7, Anthem gave her heart and life to her Lord Jesus Christ. She was baptized and a member to the First Baptist Church in Thayer as well as a member of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, TX. Her mission involvement began in college with a group of 10 and Pastor Hosea Bilyeu began Ridgecrest Baptist Church in south Springfield. Anthem was a medical missionary to Indian reservations in Oklahoma and New Mexico. She worked with the Dream Center in Los Angeles as a nurse to the street and under the bridge homeless in the Watts area. In 2005 she assisted the Convoy of Hope in setting up a medical unit treating victims of Hurricane Katrina. Anthem had a very heartfelt spiritual knowledge of the Bible, studying every day and never missing an opportunity to witness. Despite her pain, she was always positive and praising God knowing complete healing was coming and she would be walking the golden streets in heaven kicking up the gold dust.
Survivors include her mother, Carol Eder; her aunts, Anita (Wayne) Smith, Billie Raye (Dick) Mooney, Cindy (Don) Hatman; her cousins, Derrick, Savannah, and Ava Claire Smith, Rick and Rusty Mooney, Christy Cypret and Eli, Isaiah, Gracie, Zeb and Jared Hatman; and many dear friends.
Preceding her in death were her father, Jackie Dale Eder; and her grandparents, Herman and Dorothy Herbold and Ray and Alice Eder.
Anthem’s enjoyment on this earth included her horse, music, reading, traveling, golf and fly fishing. Her trophy was a 5 ½ lb. rainbow trout she caught on her fly rod.
Anthem loved children, but not having any of her own, the school kids were special to her. The love of her life was 2 little chihuahuas, Sophia and Olivia. Anthem would always say: “When I am greeted by God, Jesus Christ and my heavenly family, Sophia and Olivia will outside the gates of heaven waiting for me.” Anthem never liked saying “goodbye.” She would say “so long, I’ll see you soon!”
Anthem, we love you, miss you and are so grateful God sent you our way. You are a daughter, niece, cousin, nurse, teacher and missionary, but best of all “a Child of the King!” We love you. So long, we’ll see you soon.
Funeral services for Anthem Eder with be held on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Brother Gerald Bounds and Brother Jared Russell officiating.
Burial will be on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Thayer Cemetery in Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
