WAYCROSS, Ga. — It's been nearly three weeks since Sgt. Kennedy Sanders along with two other US soldiers were killed in a drone strike overseas and on Saturday morning, her family put the 24-year-old soldier to rest.
The funeral and burial were held in Sanders’ hometown of Waycross, Georgia. Those who knew Sgt. Kennedy L. Sanders say they will never forget her smile.
“Sgt. Sanders has a smile that would light up any room," Lakeisha Moore, a Staff Sgt. in the Army Reserve, said.
Sgt. Sanders joined the Army Reserve in 2019, Her magnetic attitude was immediately noticed by those around her.
“We could have the worse day, we could have got smoked, push-ups. But she kept us smiling, any time we wanted to give up, we looked at her and she was like ‘Give up, we’re not giving up. Put that ruck on your back and let's keep on trucking,’" Moore said.
Sgt Sanders was one of three US soldiers killed by a drone strike overseas in Jan. 28.
Hundreds of people gathered as her remains were brought back to her hometown of Waycross.
The crowds coming to honor this young soldier only grew on the day of her funeral, wearing purple in her honor.
“It’s such a beautiful thing, coming here and seeing everything, going through the town and her picture is everywhere, people wearing purple," Maya Bellinger, who met Sanders in basic training, said.
Inside the Ware County Middle School auditorium, those who knew Sgt Sanders shared memories
“Before Kennedy locked her hair, she was natural, and everywhere Kennedy went she took a big old jug of jam, And I told her girl your hair not going to get any more slick if you keep putting all that jam up in it.”
While outside, friends summarized the legacy left behind by a woman who gave her life to serve our country.
“Enjoy life, live it to the fullest, smile always, that’s what she’s leaving behind," Moore said.
