Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders' Obituary

HONORING

A HERO

June 30, 1999

January 28, 2024

Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders

lIN loving memory of Kennedy Ladon Sanders, a vibrant and dedicated 24-year-old Army Sergeant whose zest for life left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Kennedy was born at 5lbs 4oz, as Twin B on Wednesday , June 30, 1999 to the union of Shawn Sanders, and Oneida Oliver. From the day she was born, she had a very distinct personality that was noticeably different from that of her twin brother! He was very charismatic and interactive with others, while Kennedy would give a serious glare to anyone trying to hold or cuddle her, until they had no choice but to leave her alone!

Once her younger brother was born the next year, Kennedy began to take on the role of a little caretaker. She was so eager to help change his diaper, or give him a bottle or pacifier. Growing up with two rambunctious brothers at home, Kennedy had no choice but to try and keep up with them. They are solely responsible for her athleticism, fearlessness, and competitive nature. They did not take it easy on her because she as a girl. These l ed

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

MOTHER & FATHER

A passionate athlete, she excelled in basketball, soccer and softball, showcasing not only her physical prowess but also her unwavering determination. Kennedy brought the same tenacity to her military service, embodying the spirit of a true leader. She made the courageous choice to join the Army Reserves in 2019 as a Horizontal Construction Engineer. She completed one deployment in Djibouti, Africa and was deployed for the second and last time in Kuwait and Jordan. She had plans to re-enlist at the end of her contract. Kennedy was posthumously promoted to Sergeant Sanders by President Joe Biden.

Sgt. Sanders had the uncanny ability to make the best out of every situation. She enjoyed learning new things and was not afraid to live outside of her comfort zone. She had learned to crochet, she was learning to speak Italian on Duolingo for a future trip to Italy , she was learning to play the ukelele, she had taken up Jui Jitsu and placed in her first tournament in Kuwait, and she was testing to qualify as an Army bus driver. She was an avid gamer who enjoyed playing Call of Duty. She was also a fan of Marvel comics and movies as well as Anime cartoons. She was looking forward to attending Comicon in the future.

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

GRANDPARENTS

Her infectious energy and ever-present smile illuminated every room sh entered, leaving a lasting impression on friends, family , and comrades alike. Sgt. Sanders was a beacon of positivity , uplifting those around her with her radiant spirit. Whether on the battlefield or the sports field, she approached challenges with resilience and a contagious enthusiasm that inspired all fortunate enough to witness it.

Sgt. Sanders was a 2017 graduate of Ware County High School and attended Valdosta State University as well as Albany State University. She was lifelong member of Power Hose of Faith Ministries, under the Leadership of Elder Kenneth A. Kirksey , Sr., and First Lady Latoshia Kirksey.

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

Grandmother & Grandfather

Grandfather

SIBLINGS AND COUSINS

As we bid farewell to this remarkable individual, we celebrate the legacy of Sergeant Sanders. Her athletic achievements, military dedication, and boundless vitality will forever be etched in our hearts. May she rest in peace, leaving behind memories that remind us to live life with the same passion and joy that defined her remarkable journey.

Brothers

& Sisters

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

BROTHERS & SISTERS

Kennedy was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Wanda Ladon Peterson Oliver, maternal Great grandparents, Mr. Willie Reed and Mrs. Ruby Adams Peterson of Waycross, GA, and Mr. Eugene Oliver, Sr and Mrs. Willie Mae Oliver of Savannah, GA, Paternal great grandmother, Lula West, of Waycross, Paternal great grandfather, Charlie Wells, of Pearson, GA, maternal great Uncles, Phillip and Kenneth Peterson, of Waycross, GA and great aunts Doretha Mitchell of Waycross, GA and Barbara Jean Oliver of Savannah, GA.

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

AUNTS AND UNCLES

Left to cherish her memory is her father, Shawn Lamar Sanders, Sr. and mother, Oneida Oliver-Sanders, her paternal grandparents, Connie Rawls, Waycross, GA and Thomas (Agnes) Sanders, Pearson, GA; maternal grandfather, Eugene Oliver, Jr., Savannah, GA.

Honorary Grandmothers, Phyllis “Gammy” Gilliam and Juanita “Mema” Orange, Waycross, GA. Siblings, Shawn Jamar Sanders, Jr., Pensacola, FL, Taylor Oshea Sanders, Valdosta, GA, Kendall Marshon Sanders, Christian Keshawn Sanders, and Madisyn McKnight, all of Waycross GA, and Shequoyah Delantre' McPherson, Jacksonville, FL; a niece whom she cherished dearly , Jersei Christian Amora Sanders, Aunts Kawanda West, Christy (Shawn) Roberts, all of Waycross, GA, Shanina (Brandon) Johnson, Diane Sanders, Pearson, GA, Sabrina Sanders, Shakita(Kendrick) Lanier, both of Atlanta, GA, Kecia Johnson, Tennessee; uncles, Brandon (Jessica) Sanders, Demarcus (Alex) Sanders, Pearson, GA, Omar Oliver and Aunt/godmother, LaTicia Gilliam; godfather, Patrick (Sarah) Simmons, all of Waycross, GA; a best friend, Emily Middleton( George), Hoboken, GA, Godbrothers, Erick (Jasmine) Leonard, Waycross, GA and Patrick McGee, Atlanta, GA, Godsisters, Nakiyah English, Valdosta, GA, and Keniyah McCray , Panama City , FL, First Cousins, Lashon West, Dominique West, Zion Outler, Constance Brown, Shawn Roberts, Jr., Javier Roberts, Mason Johnson, Cheyenne Vickers, Jacoby Sanders, Alena Sanders, Amaya Sanders, Sariannna Sanders, Demarcus Sanders, Jr., Ava Sanders, Gia Sanders, Kamryn Lanier, James Lanier, little cousins, Aauri West and Brielin West and a very special Aunt and cousin, Dr. Yolanda Rivers and Kingsley Rivers Wesley , and a host of other cousins, great aunts, and uncles, teammates, battle buddies, co-workers, and friends.

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

TeeTee

COACH “K”

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”

–

ShawnLamarSanders Father

ShawnJamarSanders Brother

Brandon Sanders Uncle

ConstanceBrown Cousin

TomasJamesSanders Grandfather

ShawnLamarRoberts Uncle

Elmer Davis

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

ShequoyahMcPherson GodSister

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

“How important it is fo us to recognize an celebrate our heroes and she-roes.”

Maya Angelou

Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders

June 30, 1999 - January 28, 2024

"The legacy of heroes — the memory of a great name, and the inheritance of a great example."

Benjamin Disraeli

We remember you, we honor you, we love you and we humbly thank you for your service.Asimple “thank you” is not enough for all that you’ve endured. We pray that you live on through the loving memories shared by your family and loved ones. We pray that the strife, battles and wounds of war be calmed for eternity in God’s loving grace. May you find rest at last and know that those left behind cherish your spirit, honor your commitment, send their love and will never forget your sacrifice.

From left to right, Sgt. Kennedy Sanders, Sgt. William Jerome Rivers and Sgt. BreonnaAlexsondria Moffett.

The three U.S.Army Reserve soldiers from Georgia were killed by a drone strike Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, on their base in Jordan near the Syrian border.

Processional

Presider ......................................................................Apostle Carlos White

Opening Prayer ..........................................................Apostle Carlos White

Scriptures

OldTestament .................................................Pastor William Simmons

NewTestament .................................................. ElderAlphonso James

Song ......................................................................Voices of Power & Praise

Proclamation ......................................................... Mayor MichaelA. James

MusicalTribute ........................................................................... Nikki Davis

OfficialTributes/Honors .........................................Secretary of StateAward

Chairman Bartlett

Elections Supervisor Carlos Nelson Pierce County Manager Raphel Maddox

Military Honors/Tributes ..............................................First Sergeant Whynn

Colonel Dulgarian Brigadier General Lazaroski

Song ...................................................................................Shabria Wiggins

Reflection .....................................................Coach Mandy Lingenfelter 2 min

CoachAlesia Gibson 2 min

Coach Rudolph Solomon 2min

Song ........................................................................ Voices of Power Praise

Eulogy ............................................................ Elder KennethA. Kirksey, Sr.

Acknowledgements / Resolutions .......................Fluker Funeral Home Staff

Recessional

We, the family of Sergeant Kennedy Ladon Sanders, would like to express our thanks and gratitude for the many acts of kindness extended to us during our hours of sadness in the transition of our loved one.

We have received so many expressions of sympathy and support from across the nation. There has been an outpouring of love and encouragement from people, known and unknown, in helping our family to cope with our tragic loss. Our family has received condolences and comforting gestures from the highest positions in our Nation, State, and City; President Joe Biden, Governor Brian Kemp and Mayor MichaelAngelo James; Our local City Manager, Ulysses Rayford, Commissioners, Patrick Simmons, and other City of Waycross staff members have been present and available on a daily basis. Our neighboring county's County Manager, Ralph Maddox and County Chairman have shown our family the utmost respect and deepest sympathy for our loss.The City of Pearson, GAand Savannah, GAhave been equally supportive towards Kennedy's Grandfathers, who are lifelong residents of those cities. So many people have graciously offered to help us in any way that we may need.

The citizens of Waycross and surrounding counties have honored Kennedy's ultimate sacrifice with displays of love and patriotism, from signs, memorial tables, and bulletin boards, to purple ribbons. Our local school board family and staff has honored Kennedy in their classrooms by making her a part of their history lessons, decorating their doors in her memory, designating “purple” days in her honor, permanently hanging her banner in the basketball gym, and many other displays of love and appreciation. The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Phi Delta Kappa Sorority have offered a steady hand of prayer and support during this time.The C.C. StephensAmvets Chapter as well as members of Power House of Faith Ministries and several other churches and organizations have all offered blessings, food, cards, telephone calls, and visits.

The City of Waycross has lead the way in sharing Kennedy's positive impact on our community. Kennedy's former coaches, classmates, teammates, co-workers and friends all mourn with our family As a result of this community sharing Kennedy's essence with the world via social media, Kennedy's spirit of joy, love and dedication is being celebrated all over the nation.

Our family is honored and thankful to each and every one of you for the love and support you have given us during this time. Please continue to include us in your prayers as the days go by. Let's also remember to pray for all of our soldiers. May God continue to Bless each and every one of you; this is our prayer for you.

D E S I G N S

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Obituary Layout and Design: Shawn L. Sanders