DAVID A. SANDERS

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David Arnett Sanders was born on Oct. 4, 1944, the second son of the late Deacon William Baker Sanders Sr. and Dr. Beatrice Gregg Sanders. He departed this life on May 24, 2018.

He was baptized at a young age at Rafting Creek Baptist Church and was a member of West End Community Church. David attended Mather Academy; matriculated at Hampton Institute, Hampton, Virginia; received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morris College; Advanced Studies in Art Education at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York; with further studies at the University of South Carolina.

He taught at Lincoln High School, Morris College, and the S.C. Arts Commission for the Arts in Prison and Arts in Motion programs. He became owner/executive director of the Manning Avenue Free Studio Incorporated.

His humanitarian services included: former School District 17, the Sumter Artist Guild, the Sumter County Cultural Commission and the initiator of the annual Festival on the Avenue. He also founded the South Sumter Community Project through his Manning Avenue Free Art Studio, where he mentored many aspiring young people who became acclaimed artists.

His beloved immediate family includes his wife of 52 years, Patricia Kennedy Sanders; sons, Ivan and Omar Sanders; daughter, Jacqueline Wright; and seven grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at West End Community Church, 101 S. Salem Ave., Sumter, SC 29150, followed by a gathering of friends and a musical tribute at 2 p.m. at the Manning Avenue Free Art Studio, 241 Manning Ave.

Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.