Rena Kay Anthony

Rena Kay Anthony, 42, of Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center after a hard-fought battle with liver cancer. Rena was born on April 1, 1970 at Walter Knox Memorial Hospital in Emmett, Idaho. She was a member of New Home General Baptist Church, and earned her associates degree in business at Three Rivers Community College in 2009. Having a passion for working with kids, Rena worked as a teacher's aid at Poplar Bluff Head Start after graduation. Rena was a loving mother, wife, and friend, and her life was spent serving her family and friends and giving selflessly whenever there was a need. Her family describes her life with three words: charm, beauty, and honesty. In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Rena enjoyed cooking, flowers, gardening, and animals. In 1988, she married her former husband, Mark Bunch, and during their 12 year marriage they had two sons. In 2001, Rena married her husband, Robert Anthony, who survives her. Other survivors include four children, Jesse Bunch of Nashville, Tenn., Brandon Bunch of Poplar Bluff, Daniel Ray Mills and wife, Jessica of New Florence, Mo., and Brannon Anthony of Poplar Bluff; one grandchild, Aubrey Mills; two sisters, Edwina Griffith of Utah and Anna Cates of Washington; a brother, Mark Berry of Poplar Bluff; mother-in-law, Lois Anthony of Poplar Bluff; and three dogs, Bear, Peanut, and Katie. Her parents, Ruth Armentrout and Edwin Steinbach, father-in-law, Frank Anthony, and dog, Kandie-Kane Anthony preceded her in death. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the funeral chapel with Brother Calvin Buhler officiating. Burial will be at Sparkman Cemetery in Butler County. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Tribute Program, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.