On June 23, Anand Kumar Michael – "AnandJi," peacefully found his rest in the Lord with his devoted family at his side. His smile was infectious and will be tremendously missed.

Please join AnandJi's family on Saturday, June 28 for visitation from 9-11am, and a service of thanksgiving and remembrance at 11am at Ascension Lutheran Church at 6481 Old Canton Road in Jackson, MS. Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Garden Park in Jackson, MS, and a luncheon will be provided by the Ascension Lutheran Church Family. A link for the livestream of the Visitation and Service are below.

Anand Michael loved and served his Lord Jesus, and was a third generation Christian. His faith was immeasurable, and he credited the blessings he experienced and the successes of his children and grandchildren to that faith. Other than travelling through Europe and Southeast Asia when he was a young adult, and being with family and friends, nothing brought more joy to AnandJi than his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren and their spouses. Having sacrificed so much to leave his homeland of India in the 1980s and seize the American dream, his goals have been fulfilled through his legacy.

A gentle soul, AnandJi was a friend to all, the type of man who never met a stranger, and was highly recognizable in the community. He was involved in many community organizations, and was a network weaver, skilled in making introductions and fostering relationships to facilitate connections between individuals, and most particularly to help to pave the way for the Indian American community in Jackson and its surrounding areas. Always a gentleman, no one ever crossed his path without being warmly greeted, and he was a faithful friend. His children found themselves beaming with pride to be asked by someone in the community if, by chance, they were the children of Anand Michael. They also found the pitfall of entering a room with him, and having to navigate slowly through it, because so many would stop to chat with him wanting to catch up with the ever-popular "Mr. Michael."

AnandJi suffered great loss in his lifetime, losing Mildred, the love of his life and soulmate, and the mother of his children, in their early 40s. Together they were educators and shared artistic talent. While he wanted so much to teach, always putting his family first, AnandJi found himself in the position of Security Chief for the Mississippi Museum of Art for just more than two decades. This allowed him to be immersed in the world of art, serve others with his gifts, and in the days of Mildred's deeper illness, the opportunity to care for her directly, seldomly leaving her side, except to work. AnandJi and Mildred's legacy includes their daughter Sujata, her husband Robert, their children Priya and her husband Raj, Sara and her husband Joe, and Matthew, as well as their son Veeresh, his wife Sapna and their children Joshua and Emily. Over the years, he found companionship and happiness, marrying Sukumari Samuel, who has since passed. AnandJi proudly leaves behind the youngest of his brothers, Vijay, now the patriarch of the Michael Family, as well two of his sisters-in-law, several nieces and nephews and their children.

AnandJi's family is overwhelmed by the expression of love and gratitude friends and the community have shown for him, and them as his children over the years, and in this difficult time. He lived the life of a simple man, and instilled in those around them to be their best in all ways, to be kind, patient and courteous, respectful. The recollections often told to his children by others begin with his warm smile and how he was helpful or gracious to them in some way.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to his physicians over the years, Dr. Scott Layne and Dr. Maria Rappai in particular, the compassionate staff and leadership of Select Specialty Hospital/Belhaven, and most importantly, the loving, kind and daughterly care of Kristy Mason.  The family also thanks Dr. Jason Bird and the members of McLaurin Heights Methodist Church in Pearl as well as Ascension Lutheran Church in Jackson and First Baptist Jackson for friendship, discipleship and love to AnandJi and the family over the years.

An accomplished artist with a keen eye for design and detail, he enjoyed dressing sharply and somewhat formally, and always chose apparel for his daughter and daughter-in-law in very specific colors suited for them. Rather than the traditions of black or white attire for the visitation and funeral service, please join our family in dressing to the nines: suits/sports coats for the gentleman and colorful apparel for the ladies! In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Mississippi Food Network in AnandJi's honor.

https://www.msfoodnet.org/donate-now/

Saturday Visitation Service livestream and recording:  https://www.youtube.com/@ascensionluthonline