Obituary of Michelle Kyle Anderson

Dr. Michelle Kyle Anderson, loving mother, sister, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 2, 2018 in her home in Durham. Dr. Michelle Anderson was born on September 6, 1960 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the late Dorothy and William H. Anderson. The family later moved to Winterville, North Carolina, where her parents were both respected educators in the Pitt County School System. 

Michelle attended public school in Ayden, NC, graduating from Ayden-Grifton High School in 1978.  She then went on to complete her BS in Dental Hygiene (1982), Doctorate of Dental Surgery (1987), and Masters in Public Health (1990) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed her dental residency at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. While at UNC, Dr. Anderson was awarded the UNC Board of Governor’s Dental Scholarship and she was a member of Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity.  She was also a proud member of the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Michelle dedicated her life to helping others in need, which was reflected in both her professional career and personal commitments. As a dentist, Dr. Anderson was licensed in several regions and states: Southern Regional, Northeast Regional, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and NC. As a dentist, Dr. Anderson practiced for 20 years, with her last appointment as a staff dentist for the Gaston Family Health Services.  A life-long learner, after her retirement, Dr. Anderson later pursued medical certifications.  At the time of her passing, she had obtained certification as a nationally registered EMT-Paramedic and was completing her certifications as a nurse, working for UNC Healthcare and Wake Med Hospital.

Dr. Anderson is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Mr. Mark K. Anderson. Surviving family includes her beloved children, Victoria M. Massie of Kribi, Cameroon; Christina Massie of Atlanta, Georgia; and Samuel P. Massie IV and ex-husband Samuel P. Massie III of Laurel, Maryland. Additional surviving relatives are siblings, brother, Mr. Michael K. Anderson of Raleigh; sister Dr. Sibby Anderson Thompkins of Chapel Hill; and half-brother, Pastor William H. Joyner of New Haven, Conn. Michelle leaves nieces and nephews, Michaela, Austin, Trina, Keke, and Howard Jr. Dr. Anderson also leaves behind countless friends and close colleagues. 

A public funeral service was held on Saturday, February 10, 2018, from 2:00-5:00 p.m., at Walker’s Funeral Home (919) 942-3861 in Chapel Hill, at 120 West Franklin Street. Flowers may be sent to this address as well.