Anthony Keith Sanders

Anthony Keith Willis Sanders, 46, of Newport, passed from this life peacefully while surrounded by his loved ones on Thursday, September 12, 2019. Anthony was born February 21, 1973 in Searcy to the late Troy Willis Sr. and Shirley (Dunn) Sanders. Anthony graduated from Newport High School in 1992 and moved to Texas to start school to obtain his real estate license which he completed in 1993. Later, he went on to college and received four more degrees. He excelled in school and graduated with degrees in Dancing, Cosmetology, Nursing, and Massage Therapy. After this series of successful ventures Anthony moved to Pensacola, Florida where he lived for over 13 years. He enjoyed every minute of his time there. He became manager at the Behavioral Unit/Psych Ward in Pensacola. Then, Anthony became counter manager for Dillard’s for Origin All-Natural Cosmetics for two years where he eventually achieved the status of Top Salesman. Anthony loved watching the sunset view from his condo. Anthony was such a lively, energetic person and was known as a workaholic. He loved dancing, Ballet, and being able to take part in the Miss. Arkansas and Miss. USA pageants. Above all, he enjoyed taking care of people. He was kind and so generous that he would have given the last of whatever he had even to a stranger. Anthony had a love for people and was always helping raise money for one cause or another. He was a very outspoken person and could talk your ear off. He was so funny and making people laugh was one of his greatest qualities. Anthony was thankful for the life he lived and the experiences he had and felt honored to have been able to do all the things he had done. Left to cherish Anthony’s memory are his mother, Shirley (Dunn) Sanders; the most precious daughter that he could have asked for, Kylee Cheynee Sanders; friend and companion for many years, Gary Rhodes; brother, Troy Willis Jr. and wife Dena; two sisters, Cynthia Medlock and husband JC, and Lisa Sanders; god child/niece that Anthony helped raise, Christina Willis; very precious niece and nephew that knew him as “Pappy” and held a special place in his heart, DJ Hampton and Jaylee Wallace; best friend and god mother, Momma Judy Dunn; god sister, Melissa Bates; grandmother, Joyce Dunn; aunts and uncles, Janice and Robbie Free and family, Linda VanWinkle and family, Dale and Joyce Sanders, Kathy Dunn, Linda Dunn, Danny Dunn, Dale Dunn, and Timmy Dunn; best friend for life, Jonathan Sanders; special friends, Adrian and Lexy Mack; cousins, Little Roy Willis, Ricky and Francis Willis, Amber Free, Chris Bright, Sara VanWinkle, and Amanda Willis; nieces, Destiny Willis and Makiyla Morris; and nephews, Little Troy Willis, Dalton Sanders, Micheal Morris, John Medlock, Nick and Brandon Toddy. Anthony is preceded in death by the love of his life, Shelly Renee Rodgers (also known as Marine Corporal Shelly Renee Rodgers); his father, Troy Willis Sr.; his dad, Kyle Sanders; one brother, Walter Robert Lee Willis; his most precious grandmother, Stella VanWinkle; grandparents, Ruby and Jim Clary, Cecil and Jo Willis, Grandma Novel Dockery, and Grandpa Larvis “Pawbird” Sanders; two uncles, Charlie and Roy Willis; and aunt Phylis Willis. Visitation is Monday at the Cherokee Street Church of Christ in Newport from 6-8pm. Funeral service will be Tuesday at 10:00am at the church. Interment will be in Heard Cemetery in Bradford, Arkansas. Arrangements entrusted to Bradford Memorial Funeral Home. www.bradfordmemorial.com

Anthony Keith Sanders

February 21, 1973 - September 12, 2019