Lee A. Anthony

Little Rock lost one of its true legends. Mr. Lee Andrew Anthony on November 11, 2025.
He was born on December 11, 1942, in Forrest City, Arkansas, as the youngest child of Ora Lee Stewart and James Howard. He graduated from Christ Church Episcopal School in Forrest City in 1961. In 1965, he received his B.A. in education from Arkansas AM&N (now UAPB).
He began his teaching career in 1965 at Little Rock's Dunbar Jr. High School before working at the world-renowned Central High School, where he worked as an art teacher until his retirement in 2017. His students loved his laid back, adventurous nature, and often sought out his classroom as a place of refuge when they would skip class. Stories of "Mr. Anthony" cooking his famous Duck Dressing for his students are still being shared to this day. He also taught adult education and art at Arkansas Baptist College from 1989-2000.
In 1966, he and his best friend, Bill Hamilton, created SOUL BROTHERS RECORD SHOP, Arkansas' legendary hotbed for music lovers at a time when there was no other record store that focused on "black" music.
Whether B.B. King, Jamie Foxx, OutKast, MC Hammer, Mint Condition, or Prince, it was virtually impossible to perform in Little Rock without acknowledging or visiting 16th & High Street (MLK).
But that was only the beginning of his involvement in music, as he next created, the now legendary TRUE SOUL RECORDING STUDIO, where he helped craft the careers of many Arkansas artists, including Thomas East, William Stuckey, Johnnie Craig, Stephen Rucker, Right Track, Sugar, Portrait Band, Soul, Mind, & Body, Ronnie McBride, The Loving Sisters, Robert Hughes & Greg Bradley, Murray Walker, Larry Davis, Zion 5, The Donahue Singers, Tim & Tony Anthony, and countless others. Several of his recordings received a second life through covers such as "Texas Flood", by Stevie Ray Vaughan, and most recently, a sample cover of "I Want You" (Sugar), on Drake & 21 Savage's "Rich Flex".
While Lee Anthony's accolades are many, he remained a down to earth, humble man of God that loved his family, his friends, his students, and his community. He also remained a dedicated member of Allison Presbyterian Church and his church family for more than 40 years.
He leaves behind to cherish his memories, his sisters, Pearline Thomas (Little Rock, AR) and Margaret Beard (Cincinnati, OH), his aunt, Geraldine (St. Louis), his children; Tony Anthony (Little Rock, AR), Tim Anthony (Little Rock, AR), Angela Anthony (Los Angeles), Christopher Blanks (Dallas, TX), and Kameron Anthony (Phoenix, AZ), his God daughters, Tonya Denise Elliott, (Pine Bluff), Classie Watson (Dallas, TX), Tina McFadden (Little Rock), 14 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter, his close friend, Pam Mercer, and a host of nieces, nephews, students, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ora Lee Stewart & James Howard, his siblings, Sam Howard, Charlotte Smith, Odell Knox, Pat Howard, Hattie B. Clark, Charlie Howard, James Howard, Jr., Frank "Dub" Anthony Cogwell, Roosevelt Hardin, Jr., and Gladys Harris.
Lee Anthony will be remembered for his charisma, his love of music, his love for teaching, and his devotion to his family, friends, and church.
His legacy will live on through the countless lives he impacted.