David Arnett Sanders was born on October 4, 1944, the second son of the late Deacon William Baker Sanders, Sr., and the late 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, VA, and Morris College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree;  Advanced Studies in Art Education, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, with further studies at the University of South Carolina.

He taught at Lincoln High School and Morris College, SC Arts Commission for the Arts in Prison and Arts in Motion Programs, and he became Owner/Executive Director of The Manning Avenue Free Studio Incorporated.

His humanitarian services include: Former School District Seventeen, The Sumter Artist Guild and The Sumter County Cultural Commission; the initiator of the Annual Festival on the Avenue, and 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 include his wife of 52 Years, Mrs. Patricia Kennedy Sanders; Sons, Ivan and Omar Sanders; Daughter, Jacqueline Wright; and 7 grandchildren.

Memorial Services will be held at 11am on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at West End Community Church, 101 S. Salem Avenue Sumter, SC 29150. Followed by a gathering of friends and a musical tribute at two o'clock, the Manning Avenue Free Art Studio, 241 Manning Avenue.