Sophie Anthony

Mrs. Sophie Louise Rushing Anthony, daughter of the late Henry Sylvester Rushing, Sr. and Bessie Blakeney Rushing, was born January 4, 1938 in Union County, North Carolina. She peacefully departed this life for Heaven early Thursday morning, December 1, 2022, at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina. Lovingly known as “Peggy or Peg”, Sophie was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Franklin Anthony, Jr.,  a son, Don Anthony, her father, mother,  brother, Harold Rushing, Sr., and sisters: Willie Ree Simon, Lonnie Mae Rushing, Henrietta Redfern, Geraldine Barrino and Wanda Hatchell.

Sophie accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior, received the gift of salvation and was baptized at the First Church of God, Marshville, North Carolina. During her residency in Charlotte, she joined Adams Metropolitan AME Church where she served faithfully until her health declined.

“Peg” received her early education at East Union School, Marshville  North Carolina. Following her tenure as a homemaker, she began employment with Earth Grain Bakery  where she remained until retirement.

On May 6, 1955, Sophie was joined in Holy Matrimony to Bennie Franklin Anthony, Jr. They shared almost 40 years of marriage until Bennie’s untimely death in 1995. To God be the Glory for the great things He did through this union. Among those great things was the birth of six children: Marvin Franklin Anthony of the home, Russell Anthony of Charlotte, North Carolina, Jeffrey Anthony,Sr. of Charlotte, North Carolina, Diane Anthony  of Charlotte North Carolina, Don Anthony (deceased) and Elder Debra Renee’ Anthony of Charlotte, North Carolina. God added thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren to their family.

Sophie was a strong believer in the sanctity of family. She believed and displayed steadfastness, honesty, loyalty, and trustworthiness. “Peg” was an amazing daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, niece, grandmother, and great grandmother. These loving attributes will keep her legacy alive through not only the mantra of “Anthony Strong”, but also the memory of those things she passed down through her wisdom and care.

Sophie leaves to cherish precious memories: Her children, Marvin, Russell, Jeffrey(Peggy), Diane and Debra; her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; one brother, Henry Rushing Jr. of Jamaica, New York; two sisters, Bonnie Rushing of Concord, North Carolina and Omega Rushing Autry(Loyce) of Charlotte, North Carolina;  brothers-in-law, Mark Barrino of Mineral Springs, North Carolina, and Kazle Anthony of Rockingham, North Carolina; one aunt, Sarah Blakeney of Boston, Massachusetts; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.