Criscilla Anderson, who starred in the 2020 Netflix reality TV series Country Ever After, died Dec. 2 after a seven-year battle with colon cancer. Anderson was 45.
In addition to appearing on the series, Anderson was a dancer and also worked as a choreographer for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. Anderson was also the ex of country singer Coffey Anderson, who is known for songs such as “Mr. Red White and Blue” and “Better Today.”
He remembered Criscilla with a tender tribute on Instagram, writing, “Criscilla defined strength and fighter like no other person on the planet. Heaven gained a star today.” He also wrote, “We miss you already. Our hearts are shattered. Our minds are jumbled. Our lives will never be the same. The house is quieter because you’re missing. The babies are resilient and strong as ever. We did good with them. So, dance your heart out on the beach in heaven.”
Anderson was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2018 and shared her cancer journey on Instagram, as well as on the 2020 Netflix series Country Ever After.
Criscilla’s longtime friend and photographer Lindsey shared the news of Criscilla’s death on Instagram, and included Criscilla’s final statement.
“My heart is shattered to share this. I promised Criscilla I would walk this journey with her whenever she couldn’t stand on her own two feet, and I pray she knows how fiercely she was loved,” Lindsey wrote. “Being by her side until the very end was the greatest honor of my life.”
“If you’re reading this, I’ve finally slipped into the arms of Jesus — peacefully and surrounded by love,” Criscilla’s final statement read. “Please don’t stay in the darkness of this moment. I fought hard and I loved deeply. I am not gone… I’m Home.” She later added words of love to her family and children, writing, “My babies… I am watching over you. When a moment feels warm, familiar, or too beautiful to be coincidence — that’s me. I’m still mothering you. I’m still yours. #everybutterfly”
Coffey’s Instagram tribute also noted, “She said before she passed, ‘If you see a butterfly, that will be me. If you miss me, a butterfly will show up. Remember….I’ll be there with you.’”
Criscilla and Coffey married in 2009 and had three children together, including a son and two daughters. Coffey also has another daughter from a previous relationship. An Instagram post from Lindsey, shared a few months ago, included photos of Criscilla and mentioned that she had been going through a divorce several months earlier, while Criscilla’s Instagram bio also lists her as divorced. Still, Coffey’s Instagram tribute included photos and videos of special family moments together, making it clear that a lot of love still abounds.
Criscilla’s statement closed by thanking her circle of family and friends, before adding, “Be gentle with each other. Hold my children close. And remember: heaven isn’t as far away as it feels.”
