WAYCROSS, Ga. – Army Sargeant Kennedy Sanders was laid to rest in Waycross on Saturday morning.
The 24-year-old was among three soldiers killed in a drone attack in Jordan in January.
Family, friends and community members filled the auditorium at Ware County Middle School for her homegoing service.
Watch the funeral service for Sgt. Sanders below:
Driving into town, purple ribbons were seen in a lot of places in honor of Sanders — purple was her favorite color.
Many who spoke about the 24-year-old described her as lovable and someone whose personality lit up the room.
Specialist Maya Bellinger, who met Sgt. Sanders during basic training camp, said it’s a personality she’ll miss deeply.
“She was like a little sister to us. She was definitely our baby. So it was always us taking care of her. Making sure that her uniform was good on Sunday’s before we started the week. I would always do her hair for her,” Bellinger said.
Waycross officials have announced that a section of Eads Street will be renamed Kennedy L. Sanders Way, and June 30 will be known as “Kennedy L. Sanders Day.”
Which is only a part of the legacy she’ll leave behind. This thought made Lakisha Moore emotional.
“Whoo, give me a second. The legacy she will leave behind, enjoy life. Live it to the fullest, smile always. That’s what she’s leaving behind,” Moore said.
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After a beautiful service, the casket draped in the American flag exited the auditorium and headed to the cemetery.
As the casket made its way from the school to the cemetery, loved ones who followed behind were able to look out their window and saw people lined on the street showing their support.
Once at the cemetery, it was time to place the casket near the hole, for the army to do a salute, and for loved ones to say their final goodbyes.
“She’s someone that will forever like live in our hearts, our memories our everything,” Moore said.
Family, friends, community members and elected officials, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp showed up to pay their respects at Sanders’ wake Friday.