Gay was born in Jackson, Mississippi but spent her first years in New Orleans, Louisiana. The family moved to Jackson when she was in the ninth grade.  Her first art lessons came when she was in the fourth grade.  With a major in Interior Design and Art she graduated from Mississippi State College for Women in 1971.
Mrs. Anderson is an active member of the Mississippi Artist Guild and has studied with noted artists Alan Flattman, Bob Tompkins, Lucy Mazzaferro, Roberta Carter Clark, Debbie High, Mary Alice Lee, Ann Barron, and Wyatt Waters.  She lives in Madison County at Lake Lorman with 4 parrots, 4 dogs and a husband.