MANSFIELD, Ga. — Mansfield is mourning a businessman who turned a one-room gas station into a business anchor for this small town.

Edward “Kenny” Anderson, owner and operator of Roosters Drive Inn restaurant in Mansfield, passed away early Tuesday.

Anderson, 64, had operated the restaurant on the town’s main street, Georgia Hwy. 11, since 2016.

Memorial services for him are set for Sunday, Aug. 15, at 4 p.m. at J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home at 2157 East St. in Covington.

His restaurant was known for a Southern-based menu and entertainment schedule that included singer-songwriters and karaoke.

Former Mansfield mayor Jefferson Riley said Anderson was “the epitome of an entrepreneur.” 

“A true success story and a huge blessing to Mansfield,” he said.

County Commissioner Stan Edwards, who was a regular customer, said Anderson “was a fun-loving guy that enjoyed his patrons immensely.”

“He really enjoyed providing dishes people found authentic and that tasted good,” he said.

Edwards said Roosters had become a Mansfield business staple.

“Kenny will be missed,” Edwards said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle, his wife.”

Another area resident, Kristen Parzych, said on a Mansfield Facebook group page that, "If you knew Kenny Anderson you knew he was always about having a good time, his wife Michele Anderson and his restaurant, Roosters Drive Inn."

"He will be missed by so many and Roosters will never be the same without his smiling face and his jokes," Parzych wrote.

Anderson was a native of Macon and a Navy veteran, according to an obituary from J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home.

In addition to owning Roosters, he worked as an insurance adjuster for Rain and Hail Insurance and Pilot Catastrophe Services. 

Riley recalled the first time Anderson talked with him about converting the former Main Street gas station building into a restaurant. 

“He came and talked to me about what he wanted to do. He was full of excitement and had a plan. I had never met Kenny but I liked his energy and the fire he had in his belly to follow his dream of owning a restaurant. 

“I was very excited for our community that we would have a new business in town. He did a great job of renovating the building and making it into a walk-up restaurant. 

“He never slowed down. He approached me about a patio, which he did (build). Then to enclose the patio, then to add another patio, then to enclose that patio. 

“I absolutely loved seeing Kenny’s energy towards fully implementing his dream. He constantly added to his menu and came up with unique and creative meals to offer his customers.

“He always asked me to try his new concoction. I never had a meal that wasn’t great. Then he added a bar and never slowed down. 

“He was fun to talk to and made every visit seem like a party. He loved his customers and made everyone feel special.”

Mansfield City Councilman Blair Northen said he had a brief financial interest in the building that became Roosters. He and Anderson later became good friends after the Roosters owner began operating his business there.

Northen’s daughter even helped spread gravel and mulch on the site to help Anderson.

“He took that place and took risks,” Northen said. “He was one of the hardest working men I ever met, and he played as hard as he worked.”

He said he has discussed with other council members the possibility of honoring Anderson posthumously in some way.

Singer and musician April Allen occasionally took time away from being lead singer of the jazz-pop band Drive Time to perform solo acoustic sets at Roosters.

Allen, who lives near Mansfield, said she recalled when Roosters operated as a walk-up eatery with outdoor seating.

She said she met Anderson while dining at the restaurant and told him she was a musician. He offered to hire her for solo gigs. 

He eventually endeared himself to her family.

“I'm seriously struggling with this," she said, fighting back tears. "He meant so much to me and my family."

She said Anderson treated her with more “respect” than the typical venue owner — especially because she was a female musician.

“He always paid what he said he would and, if I drew a crowd, would pay me a little extra,” she said.

Allen said he treated his employees well and “made all who walked in feel welcome.”

“He’s got such a kind and giving heart,” she said,  “He lived life to the fullest, which is how we all should live.”