Today, we’d like to introduce you to Khadijah Anderson. Khadijah was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Shannel Gray.
Khadijah, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
While my story is indeed no fairytale, it is still worth telling. I find all of my encouragement hope from the little girl, I once was, that grew up in a single parent home and the parent was classified as disabled. I can very clearly remember seeing my mother cry one night, worrying about how she would keep the lights on during the winter months. Some days the house would be just has hot inside as it was outside, and vice versa during the winter.
At the age of 17, a senior at Gilmer High School, I became pregnant with my first child. As people caught wind of the news, I caught wind of the negative things people were saying. “I knew it wouldn’t be long”, “her whole life is ruined now”, “she might as well hang up going to college”, and my favorite one “I hope she don’t think that baby’s daddy is going to stick around”. See, what people failed to realize was that that tiny human I was carrying would the very best thing to ever happen to me! I gave birth to my daughter, Khayliee, in May of 2012 and graduated three weeks later; I beat that odd and I haven’t stopped yet. Statistics say that a teenage parent is more than likely to drop out of high school, not attend college, be single parent, and be a dependent of the government; that’s where I come in. Not only did I graduate high school, but I also went to college and graduated, and my “baby daddy” is my husband.
The road hasn’t always been easy, in fact, it’s still not easy; it’s just gotten easier to bear. Joshua and I have struggled our way through life, to get where we are now. We have had utilities disconnected, cars reposed, checks bounce, foreclosure letters, you name it. BUT! ALL of those things have helped us become who we are today. None of what we have now was given to us overnight. There have been maaaany long nights of pacing the floor, trying to figure out how we were going to figure things out. BUT GOD! Criticism has certainly helped make me who I am today.
Everyone has a story that can be told, good or bad. I am a firm believer that every obstacle we face in life, can be used to strengthen us. No matter how many times life knocks us down, each time we should get up stronger.
While I have been referred to as many things, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Khadijah A. Anderson, a small-town girl who has beat all statistics and defeated all odds against her. The same small-town girl that was counted out and thrown to the wolves, that came back is now leading the pack. Khadijah, the proud wife of Joshua H. Anderson, Sr., and the elated mother of Khayliee, Joshua, and Jaxton Anderson. Mrs. Anderson, as called in my line of duty, the humble owner of JK Anderson Funeral Group, LLC., a division of Rosewood Memorial Funeral Homes and Jordan Valley Memorial Park. I am Khadijah A. Anderson, God’s elect lady.
Please tell us more about your brand, JK Anderson Funeral group, LLC DBA Rosewood Memorial funeral home
As a Funeral Director, sometimes referred to as a Mortician or Undertaker, it is my duty to oversee, direct, and coordinate all duties of a funeral service while providing exceptional service and support to the family of the deceased individual(s). At Rosewood, we take pride in making sure that each family we serve is giving the highest quality of service and they are left with the most lasting impression. Many of the families we have served have found our excellence of professionalism to be the highest of quality in helping them arrange the most meaningful and memorable services for their loved one who has passed away. At Rosewood we serve families from all walks of life. Families choose Rosewood, because they know we excel in our profession, we are committed to excellence, and we have the highest integrity. We have one goal at Rosewood, to create a memorable and affordable service for their loved one. There are many funeral homes, but there is only one Rosewood; that makes me proud. I once heard a lady say, “why would y’all go anywhere else, and you can go to Rosewood”, that statement alone says everything. Families that choose Rosewood leave with a peace of mind, because they know they’ve done their best to honor their loved one. No two funerals home are alike. What sets Rosewood apart from other funeral homes, is our level of professionalism, our dedication to excellence in service, our attention to detail, and our willingness to meet the needs of each family; big or small.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Shannel Gray and ShaeGray photography and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with ShaeGray photography.
I met Shannel in May of 2019, when she was taking my best friend’s birthday pictures. Upon my late arrival, I could hear her giving Taylor instructions down the hall. “Sis, okay, I want you to stand like this and give me nothing but face; just look.”, as i drew closer to the room where they were, she started hyping Taylor up “yaaaaas, Sis, that’s it!” I couldn’t help but to notice her energetic country voice. I walked in the room and Taylor introduced us and the rest is really history. At the conclusion of the photoshoot, I was ready to book my own photoshoot; YEAH, she’s THAT good!
Shannel has become more than just a photographer to me, she is my “sis”. Our connection really just happened. Shae makes each photoshoot excited and fun, there is no such thing as just another photoshoot” with Shannel Gray. I can remember my first personal shoot with Shannel, I wasn’t really feeling it. My outfit hadn’t turned out the way I wanted it to, and my hair was just doing whatever it wanted to do; all of that was evident and she noticed. Shannel being Shannel, put an end to that REAL quick. She shared a few encouraging and motivating words with me and we went to work. It was that day, that I knew she would be my forever photographer.
The things that keep me returning to Shannel is certainly her energy, her passion, and the quality of her work. Anyone can hold a camera and call themself a photographer, and believe me there are plenty, but it takes a person with passion to produce the work that Shannel produces. Her passion of making people feel beautiful in front of a camera, is simply amazing. She meets no stranger and make even the ugliest duckling feel beautiful.
“Dream big, dreamer”, I know that in 3-5 years from now ShaeGray Photography will be a well-known branded company, no doubt! It has no choice but to be, her strive and dedication will all SOON pay off. It won’t be long before Shannel is not only taking the shots, but calling the shots at ALL of her locations; prophetically speaking. She is Arkansas raised and Texas branded. When you see her on TV, taking pictures with the high rollers, just know that it has always been and will always be ShaeGray Photography for me!
Website: www.rosewoodcares.com
Image Credits
Picture of funeral home hallway – Shannel Gray Family picture in front of the metal door – Personal Cell Phone Casket Photo – Personal Cell Phone Picture of Children – Shannel Gray Mr. & Mrs. Anderson Photo – Shannel Gray Family Picture – Shannel Gray
