Saundra Sykes Anderson

Ms. Saundra Sykes Anderson, age 87, a resident of Winter Haven, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Kindred Hospital in Tampa. Ms. Anderson was born November 7, 1938, in Abbeville, Alabama to William Roscoe and Foye Ethel (Vickers) Sykes. She was a Polk County resident since the 1940’s, having previously lived in Alabama. Saundra graduated from Winter Haven High School in 1957, and was a cheerleader, member of the Glee Club, and played in multiple sports. In 1963, Saundra graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. Over the next 40 plus years, she served as an Elementary School Teacher at Bethel Christian School in Greenville, SC; Winter Haven Christian School in Winter Haven, FL; Calvary Christian School in Winter Garden; FL; Lake Christian School in Leesburg, FL; Lake Wales Christian School in Lake Wales, FL., and American Christian Academy in Miami, FL. In 1977 Saundra and Gene Anderson founded Havendale Christian School in Winter Haven FL, which was a ministry of Havendale Baptist Church. She was a member of Lake Shipp Baptist Church in Winter Haven, having been a member of First Baptist Church in Winter Haven for most of her life. Saundra was also a member of the "Grace Notes" singers, a televised women's ensemble group that broadcast Sundays from Southside Baptist Church in Greenville South Carolina. She also sang soprano in multiple church choirs and solo performances including Handel's Messiah. She also worked as a “Southern Bell” at Winter Haven’s Cypress Gardens. Saundra enjoyed reading & studying her Bible, antique collecting, (she even had her own shop), music, interior decorating, floral design, art, (chalk & watercolor medium) , and above all loved spending time with her family. Saundra at a young age possessed a strong desire to seek God and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at Bob Jones University. She considered this decision the most important in one's life. Saundra also did volunteer work at Winter Haven Hospital as well as teaching children at vacation Bible School for many years. Saundra was preceded in death by her parents, William Roscoe & Foye Ethel Sykes, brother – Jack Sykes; sister – Shirley Dilts and son in law – Dave Jones. Saundra is survived by her loving family; son – Mark Anderson; 3 daughters – Andrea Jones, Michelle (Bryan) McClintock & Sharla Schultz; 2 grandsons – Andrew & Luke and ex-husband/friend – Gene Anderson. Funeral services will be at 11 am Friday, May 8th at Kersey Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10am at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Rolling Hills Cemetery in Winter Haven.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Meals on Wheels (Winter Haven)