Gladys Katherin "Dolly" McClelland Anderson died in Homosassa, Florida on May 25, 2025 with family and friends at her side. Born in Winter Haven, Florida, April 7, 1937 to Thelma and Richard McClelland, she was a descendent of Florida's earliest pioneers. Her parents raised her and her eight siblings in Deep Lake, Florida, in the Big Cypress Swamp.

Dolly graduated from Immokalee High School. Afterwards met Thomas Frank "Tom" Anderson, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They married and returned to Southwest Florida to begin their life in Arcadia, Florida. During this time, they welcomed their three surviving children; Thomas Richard "Rickey" Anderson, Robbi Lynn (Anderson) Black, Paula Ann (Anderson) Allen. These became the center of their lives.

When the Florida Highway Patrol selected her husband, Tom, and transferred him to Dade City, Dolly became active in the community as a Cub Scout leader, classroom aid at Dade City Grammar School, and took part in many church activities. She also became a standout softball player well into her fifties. Dolly mentored many young women personally and in their careers. Her hard work and passion inspired many.

She worked as a Dade City Police Department and Pasco County Sheriff's dispatcher and became a Supervisor at the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. Dolly helped many get their first driver's license, as well as assisting others in navigating challenges reinstating their license.

Dolly was also a citrus grower and a skilled land manager in partnership with her family. She cared for her land up to the time of her death. She was passionate about her forest and wildlife. One of her favorite activities up to the time of her passing was mowing with her tractor.

Her home in the Green Swamp on River Road was the site of many family gatherings which welcomed friends from all over the world. Many will remember dinners there accompanied by walks through the pines and palmettos to the nearby Withlacoochee River.

Her three living children survive her, along with their spouses (Jennifer Brown, Chuck Allen and David Black). Dolly had well-loved grandchildren: Chad Thomas Anderson, Katherin Black, Timothy Allen, Roxie Willman, and Emily Allen and great-grandchildren Lucan, Sebastian and Dolly. Dolly has three surviving sisters, Rena McClelland Anderson, Tuscaloosa Alabama, Linda McClelland Snyder, Orlando Florida and JoAnn McClelland Cater, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Our family extends the deepest gratitude to the family caregiversand medical personnel who cared for her. We will remember you were there for us.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 1-2 pm, with a service immediately to follow at Hodges Funeral Home in Dade City.

Donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.