I am Marlee Anderson, Miss West Tennessee Teen Volunteer. My grandmother, Lydia, was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 10 years old. She lost her battle in October of 2025. I was incredibly close to her, and I sat by her bedside until her last day. She came to every birthday, awards banquet, game, meet, and pageant up to three weeks before she passed. She was the heart of our family, the person everyone turned to for advice, comfort, and unconditional love. She was a deeply God-loving woman who shared His word not just through what she said but through how she lived, always putting others before herself. The love and faith she poured into everyone around her continues to guide me every day.
Through Lyly’s Love, I carry her legacy forward by donating care packages to individuals battling breast cancer. The care packages include plant based soap and laundry detergent donated by The Soap Factory Lakeland to minimize their exposure to synthetic chemicals and reduce skin irritation. I deliver the care packages to breast cancer centers. My hope is to ease even a small part of the burden they face, while reminding them they are seen and supported. More than anything, I strive to pass on the same love, strength, and faith my grandmother gave so freely to others.