Judge J. Blake Anderson

The Honorable J. Blake Anderson passed unexpectedly on September 5th, 2026, in Jackson, Tennessee. He was born April 21, 1955, to the late James Claiborne and Mary Virginia Sullins Anderson of Jackson, Tennessee.

Educated in the Jackson public school system, Judge Anderson graduated in 1973 from Jackson Central-Merry High School. In 1978, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors and special honors in political science from The University of The South at Sewanee, Tennessee. He soon began serving as Administrative Assistant to Judge Walter Baker Harris.

In 1983, Judge Anderson graduated with his Juris Doctorate from the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. In private practice he was the attorney for the city of Three Way, Tennessee, and he successfully defended against that city’s annexation. He was elected as Jackson City Court Judge in 1996 and served until September 4th, 2026.

During his judgeship, he was especially recognized for programs he created to care for the Jackson community. He founded the Judge Blake Anderson Litter Crew in 1996 and was given the Our Leader Against Litter Award in 2024. He founded Mental Health, Drug Recovery, Domestic Violence, and Environmental Courts in Jackson, the first such courts in Jackson and respected models for similar courts now implemented across Tennessee. A highlight of Judge Anderson’s career has been teaching new attorneys, probation officers and police officers court etiquette, decorum, and the art of brevity in the practice of law.

He was a faithful member of Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church where he very much enjoyed greeting and ushering. In services, Judge Anderson eagerly awaited the time for Passing the Peace to visitors and fellow church members and singing with the congregation that We are Forgiven. He encouraged children and youth programs in the church. He recognized that it takes a village to successfully rear the next generation. Each Christmas season he served as Santa at First Presbyterian Church and made seasonal visits across the community.

Gifted with a quick, dry wit, he found good humor in life. He was an avid photographer and enjoyed music, dancing and travel. An exceptional chef, he generously shared his love of cooking and serving food with family and friends. He especially loved home-made pimento-cheese sandwiches. He was a member of BPO Elks 192 and Uncle Billy’s Breakfast Club. He loved his dog, Truman, and his Laurel Lane neighbor kids. As a devoted follower of NASCAR, Judge Anderson experienced the exhilaration of driving at Charlotte, Bristol, and Talladega Motor-Speedways. He remained a life-long fan of Bill and Chase Elliott. He started each day with NASCAR Victory Lane while the show aired, and Judge Anderson’s words as he left for court many mornings were “Drivers, Start Your Engines!”

Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Sullins of Columbia, Missouri, Dr. and Mrs. James Giley Anderson of Jackson, Tennessee, and his brother, James Mark Anderson. He is survived by his wife, Tammy L. Buchanan-Anderson; his son, William E. Anderson (Maci); his grandchildren Coraline and Archie Anderson, and Nathan Wainwright; his brother, Dr. Charles Benjamin Anderson (Andrea); and his sister-in-law, Deborah Anderson along with his nieces and nephews.

Ministers officiating the funeral are Reverend Courtney Bowen, The Very Reverend Bruce D. McMillan, Pastor Larry Mercer, and Reverend John H. White. Members of the Cerro Gordo Baptist Church Men’s Choir will perform selected hymns. Honorary Pallbearers are Derrick E. Britt, Raymond E. Butts III, Lewis L. Cobb, Richard H. Donnell, Adam R. Gordon; David L. Woolfork, Keith V. Patterson, Members of Uncle Billy’ Breakfast Club, and The Kids of Laurel Lane: Allie Jean Gordon, Reese Wayne Gordon, Anna Elizabeth O’Kelley, Ethan Thomas O’Kelley, and Benjamin Aaron O’Kelley. Pallbearers are JPD Officer Raymond Bond, JPD Warrant Specialist Tracye Chapman, JPD Sergeant Andrea Davis, Jackson City Court Deputy Clerk Ronnie Greer, former Jackson City Court Clerk Daryl Hubbard, JPD Officer Rolanda James, TCSW Community Service Supervisor Thomas McDonald, JPD Officer Joseph Mitchell, and City Court Maintenance Supervisor Curtis Pettigrew. 

Judge Anderson was a discerning man of faith. He honored God. At a young age, he obediently answered a calling on his life to study political science, law, and to serve the broader community as a judge. He embodied the scripture in Matthew 25:10—“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Judge Anderson demonstrated a level of care that encompassed this generosity toward others by establishing programs to support physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He lived a complete life and ensured that others had chances to live complete lives as well. Having served for 30 years, Judge Anderson became affectionately known as “the People’s Judge.”

Services at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Tennessee, are as follows: Judge Anderson will lie in State Friday, September 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family will receive visitors on Friday, September 11, 2026, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The funeral service will be on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11 a.m. A private graveside service will follow. Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Tennessee; The University of The South, Sewanee, Tennessee; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Aspell Recovery Center, Jackson, Tennessee or the charity of one’s choosing. Arrangements are in the care of Arrington Funeral Directors