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.
October 10, 2020 @ 10:39 am
Carol I am so sorry to hear about Anthem! You had a wonderful daughter!
October 24, 2020 @ 10:53 am
I wish I had known her better. She must have been a wonder person
October 10, 2020 @ 11:04 am
I met Anthem once at a local medical office. She was such a dear, sweet person to visit with. She was so interested in my unusual name that she wrote it down. We both have unusual names and I think she liked that. My sincerest condolences. I am so glad I got to meet her!
October 10, 2020 @ 3:21 pm
My thoughts and prayers to you Carol,Anthem was a sweet wonderful friend to many,a blessed angel in heaven!
October 11, 2020 @ 4:18 pm
So sorry to hear of Anthem’s passing Carol. You and the rest of the family are in my thoughts and prayers. She will be missed by many. She had a big heart
October 10, 2020 @ 11:07 am
We are so sorry Carol. May God wrap his loving arms around you and give you comfort.
October 10, 2020 @ 11:43 am
Carol,
My heart hurts for your loss of your birthday daughter. I know she was the light of your life.. no words can tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I pray that God wraps His loving arms around your heart and give it comfort.
Deepest condolences
Shana and RayBob Cochran
October 10, 2020 @ 12:16 pm
Carol, there are no words to describe how deeply sorry we are for the loss of Anthem. May God give you comfort in the coming days. Much love, Robert and Teresa Poulette
October 10, 2020 @ 1:35 pm
Carol, so sorry to hear about Anthem. She was such a wonderful person and always a joy to be around. She always treated everyone with such great kindness! Keeping you in my thoughts and Prayers. P S she always had the best snacks on game road trips!!
October 10, 2020 @ 12:38 pm
So sorry, she was a sweet person. My heart and prayers go out to you,Carol.
October 10, 2020 @ 1:38 pm
Carol, i am very sorry for your loss. Anthem was always kind and had time to talk. Until we meet her again, we will be keeping you and your family in our prayers. Malynne
October 10, 2020 @ 12:56 pm
Anthem was such a lovely person. It was an honor to know her and I know you will find comfort in cherished memories of her. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
October 10, 2020 @ 4:00 pm
We are so sorry for your loss of sweet Anthem. She was a wonderful, caring, generous person. She always had a smile on her face and kind words for everyone she met. We will truly miss her. Love and prayers to you, Carol, and the rest of your family.
October 10, 2020 @ 1:48 pm
We shared so very many special moments in our younger lives…..first cars, church, sports, academics, trips, jokes, cash on trips when my wallet got stolen, soupie (?sp) at your house, etc. Thanks for being so special in my life, Anthem, and may you rest in God’s everlasting heavenly peace. You have our utmost sympathies for your sweet daughter and your best friend, Carol. Love, The White House …. Marla, Mark, & Maryn White
October 10, 2020 @ 1:57 pm
We shared so many of life’s special moments……first cars, sports, academics, trips, church, bailing me out when my wallet got stolen on Beta Club trip, suppie (?sp) at your house, birthday parties, double dates, etc. You have been through so much these past years, Anthem, and you’ve handled it with grace and dignity. May you comfortably rest in God’s everlasting peace. Our thoughts are with you Carol as you carry on without your sweet daughter and best friend. Much love from The White House (Marla, Mark, and Maryn White
October 10, 2020 @ 2:12 pm
Carol, Anthem was such a kind and beautiful person. Her life was spent helping others. May God give you strength and comfort. I know she will be truly missed.
October 10, 2020 @ 2:32 pm
Carol, my deepest sympathies to you. Anthem was a most amazing person. She loved adventure, and now she is on the greatest adventure of all eternity. I’ve never met anyone so able to commit to a strange, new, and exciting pursuit and master it so quickly and well.
I am so glad she was a part of the fabric of my life. I am humbled to have called her my friend.
We all share you sorrow, but rejoice that Anthem is completely whole and in continual worship of our Lord Jesus Christ.
One day in the distant future, when you hear your named called and step over to the eternal shore, your precious Anthem will be on that shore waiting to be reunited.
God’s peace until then.
October 10, 2020 @ 2:51 pm
Carol, Your daughter was truly a gift from God, we feel blessed to have known her thes past few years! Anthem’s presence will always be with everyone who was fortunate enough to know her but the Lord called her to heaven to be without pain, without the cruelty of disease. May our Lord comfort you and cradle you in His peace!
October 10, 2020 @ 3:15 pm
Carol so sorry to hear about your daughter my God be with you to help you through this.
October 10, 2020 @ 3:30 pm
Carol, we are so very sorry about your loss, but are so happy for heavens gain. Anthem was the sweetest, kindest person one could ever know. Her eyes twinkled when she smiled. Our love and prayers. Paul and Susan Light
October 10, 2020 @ 3:48 pm
Carol, my thoughts and prayers are for you and will be for a long time. You can be comforted by remembering how blessed you were to have had her.
October 10, 2020 @ 6:00 pm
My condolences to the family and especially Carol. Prayers for your comfort at this difficult time.
October 10, 2020 @ 8:33 pm
Carol, I am so very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed so much working with Anthem when I was on the Foundation Board for Ozarka. She did such a wonderful job getting the college started for us in Mammoth Spring. We became good friends and I loved her. She always had a smile and a hug for me. We all enjoyed working with her in Spring River Lions also. My prayers are with you.
October 10, 2020 @ 9:14 pm
Carol, it’s been many years since I’ve seen you. I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. My daughter is the same age and I can’t imagine losing her. Pray you find comfort in your beautiful memories.
October 11, 2020 @ 8:18 am
Carol I am so sorry to hear about your great loss and precious daughter Anthem. I am so amazed at all she’s done in her life. Being such a wonderful nurse and I had no idea that she had been called to be a missionary. She leaves behind a wonderful legacy of her faith and her God given calling and mission. She and I had some wonderful times together, she was always so much fun to be around . She was one of my very best friends to which i’ll always be thankful for. I so wished we’d stayed in touch throughout the years. I will be praying for you in the weeks and months to come. Sending you my love, thoughts and prayers. ?
October 11, 2020 @ 9:15 am
Carol, So sorry for your loss of Anthem. She was and is such a radiant Christ follower. As you consider all of her service for the Lord and to everyone around her, we can certainly say she completely fulfilled all that God called her to be and do on this earth. I recall her as the brightest of lights and the most beautiful of songs who more than lived up to her name, Anthem, a glorious praise to her Creator, and a tribute to all you and all of your family. She has surely already heard “Well done, good and faithful servant !” from her Lord and Savior. We are praying with you in the days ahead.
October 11, 2020 @ 11:11 am
Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. Anthem was my friend all thru out our school years. She was always so nice and always had a smile on her face!
October 11, 2020 @ 1:21 pm
Anthem was a very special person and friend. God has surely used her in many special ways. It is great to know where she is now. We are so sorry for your loss.
October 11, 2020 @ 1:59 pm
Carol, my heart goes out to you. I enjoyed growing up with Anthem in church and playing flute in band together. I will keep you in my prayers.
October 11, 2020 @ 2:03 pm
Carol, I am so sorry to hear of Anthem’s passing. We had so many childhood memories that continued through high school. Anthem always had a smile to give, she would lend a helping hand where ever needed. I didn’t get a chance to see Anthem much following High School but when I did it felt like no time had passed when we talked. She was a very special person to many. God bless
October 11, 2020 @ 3:19 pm
Carol, I didn’t really know Anthem but would see the two of you at Homecoming when I was able to get there. She was a sweet beautiful lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
October 11, 2020 @ 4:19 pm
So sorry to hear of Anthem’s passing Carol. You and the rest of the family are in my thoughts and prayers. She will be missed by many. She had a big heart
October 12, 2020 @ 12:49 am
I met Anthem in 1980 with my first teaching job. She was such a sweet girl. We had just met up again last month. I know you will miss her, Carol. She definitely left her mark on this world. My prayers are with you.
October 12, 2020 @ 4:03 am
Carol: I don’t think I ever met you, but I knew and worked with Anthem. She also lived on our street for a while in Springfield. I worked as a chaplain when she was a nurse at the hospital. I have fond memories of our times together and I am so sorry for your loss. I am certainly glad she knew our Lord and Savior and that she is where there is no more pain or sorrow.
October 12, 2020 @ 11:00 am
Carol, my condolences to you. Anthem was a wonderful and sweet woman.
October 12, 2020 @ 11:35 am
Carol,
Jack and I are SO very sorry to hear of Anthem’s passing. She was such a sweet girl when we lived in Thayer, and she grew into a loving, compassionate, and selfless young lady. She is rejoicing with her Savior now and celebrating with those who went before her. We will be keeping you and all the family in our prayers. Love ❤️ to you all. Jack and Betty Huffman
October 14, 2020 @ 2:31 pm
Carol, you have my deepest sympathy, so much you have gone through. Give you strength for now as you need it, God Bless.
October 14, 2020 @ 4:27 pm
I am stunned to hear of Anthems death. I immediately thought of your precious husband Jack. It must have been a wonderful reunion of he and Anthem. I send my condolences, love, and prayers to you Carol.
Janice Dunn
October 14, 2020 @ 8:18 pm
Much sympathy to Anthem’s family and friends. I worked with her as a new RN in the ICU. I thought she was such a nice person and I highly respected her. May God comfort you.
October 15, 2020 @ 7:32 am
Carol, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Anthem was a wonderful friend and neighbor when we lived on Kings Avenue. Because of her, the whole neighborhood was closely connected and a wonderful place. I have often thought of both you and her in the years since, and remembered the many wonderful times we spent together.
October 16, 2020 @ 7:21 pm
My heart goes out to you Carol!! She was a special person with a zest for life! She will be personally missed beyond words…
October 16, 2020 @ 7:30 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Anthem’s passing. I worked with her in the Nursing Administration Office at Cox while I was a young nursing student. I was later able to work with her in the NICU. Anthem was truly an amazing nurse and mentor. When I was in nursing school, I would easily get worried about something and was a bit overly sensitive. One day, Anthem went to the hospital gift shop. She bought a little ceramic turtle and gave that to me. With a smile on her face, she told me she wanted me to be like that turtle. Slow down and get a tougher outer shell. Those words have resonated with me over the years. I even still use that comparison with my own daughter. Anthem was truly one of a kind. She touched so many lives and she will be greatly missed.
October 19, 2020 @ 11:33 am
Carol, I am so very sorry to hear about this. I always love her so. Dave
October 19, 2020 @ 8:21 pm
Carol,
I am so sorry for your loss. Anthem was a wonderful woman and I loved talking with her on the phone these last several months. Her enthusiasm was contagious.
October 21, 2020 @ 10:01 am
Carol,
I am saddened by the news of Anthem’s passing. For me, she was always the person who went before me. She was valedictorian the year before me, President of the Alumni Association the year before me, and in this too she is before me. I will miss her light and example.