Willow Dean Anthony

Funeral services for Mrs. Willow Dean Anthony will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Prentiss Baptist Church with Reverend Buddy Keyes officiating, assisted by Rev. Earl Clark and Mrs. Janie Winscott Henderson. Interment will follow in the Dublin Cemetery with Reverend Andy Fullington officiating. Mrs. Anthony, age 99, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Jefferson Davis Extended Care Facility. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm at Saulters Moore Funeral Home. Friends may also visit the funeral home on Saturday from 8:00 am until 11:00 am. Mrs. Anthony will lie in state from 12:00 Noon until the hour of service at Prentiss Baptist Church.

Mrs. Anthony will be carried to her final rest by those honored to serve as pallbearers, including Zach Mayhugh, Justin Young, Josh Anthony, Jonathan Parkman, Barry Dickinson, and Dene Letchworth.

The year 1926 ushered in Ford Motor Company being the first to adopt a 40-hour work week; Babe Ruth captured the front page of newspapers for helping his team win the World Series, but in rural Union, Mississippi, the home of John Anderson and Ruby Arnold was filled with joy and excitement as they welcomed their precious baby girl, Willow Dean.

Willow Dean grew up in Union, and at just three years old, she and her family began to experience the hardships of the Great Depression, as it dawned in 1929. Although money was scarce and the days of working on the family farm were long and hard, love was abundant, and the family was happy.

Willow Dean graduated from Sebastopol High School and would go on to marry the love of her life, Lonnie Carwin Anthony. To this union, 4 children would be added. Throughout her life, Willow Dean served beside her late husband, Rev. L.C. Anthony, as they pastored in several counties, including Rankin, Warren, Covington, Lawrence, Copiah, Scott, Jefferson Davis, and Alabama. She epitomized the role of a pastor's wife, providing unwavering support to her husband while passionately serving her community. For many years, she was actively involved in teaching Sunday School, serving in the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), and in any other way she could find to serve her Lord. Her remarkable strength and enduring energy were evident as she continued to work in her yard up until the remarkable age of 96.

“Mrs. Anthony”, as she was known to her many friends, was not only a pillar of strength in her church, being recognized as the oldest member of Prentiss Baptist Church, but she also embraced her role in church gatherings with enthusiasm. She displayed remarkable energy and took joy in serving at church socials, ensuring that every detail was attended to, right down to the last dish being washed.

Even as her health began to decline, Mrs. Anthony’s spirit remained undiminished. Her time at the Jefferson Davis Extended Care Facility allowed her ministry and love for people to continue, as she became a source of inspiration and comfort to her fellow residents and the dedicated staff who cared for her.

One of the hallmarks of Mrs. Anthony’s life was her compassion for those in bereavement. She devoted many years of her life as an evening hostess at Saulters Moore Funeral Home, where she offered compassion and support to families during their darkest hours. Her kindness and empathy left a significant impact on the lives of those who had the privilege to know her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John Anderson and Ruby Arnold; her husband, Reverend Lonnie Carwin Anthony; her daughter, Diane Faulk; and her siblings and their spouses, Paula Dickinson (Marvin), John Arnold (Tommie), and Charles Arnold (Margaret).

Her memory will forever be cherished by her daughters, Renee Mayhugh (Ken), Beth Royer; and her son, Derrick Anthony (Penny). The legacy of their Mammaw will also live on through her grandchildren, Brandie Hutchins, Joey Faulk, Dawn Smith, Zach Mayhugh, Johnathan Parkman, Justin Young, Josh Anthony; her great grandchildren, Jasmine Hutchins, Devin Hutchins, Mary Margaret Mayhugh, Webb Mayhugh, Elle Mayhugh, Fischer Mapp, Easton Mapp, Kirkley Smith, Cabe Smith, Kane Young, Isaac Young, Jessie Young, Sam Young, Jon Luke Rutland, Liam Faulk, and Willow Faulk.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com