Anthony "Tony" W. Cavender

Amory – Anthony “Tony” Cavender, 87, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford, MS. He was born on August 21, 1928 in Bethlehem, Mississippi to the late Louis Owen Cavender and Mary Kay Cavender.

Tony graduated from Smithville High School where he was a “star” basketball player. After graduation Tony attended Holmes Junior College. He served in the US Navy until 1950. Later he joined the Marine Reserves where he served in the 1st Marine Air Wing and fought in Korea with no contact with his loved ones other than letters for 17 months. His firm belief was “Once a Marine, always a Marine”. Soon after his return, on February 8, 1952, he married the love of his life, Polly Crump. After their marriage, he began his career with US Steel in Birmingham, AL, traveling extensively.

Tony joined Forest Hill Baptist Church in Birmingham, where he was an active member and a deacon for a number of years. He loved serving the Lord and enjoyed making other people happy. His motto was “it is better to give than to receive”. He and his wife enjoyed traveling. Tony always had a smile on his face and enjoyed listening to gospel music. He also liked working in the yard, fishing, and simply enjoying precious time with his wife and poodles.


Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Polly Crump Cavender of Amory and their special young ladies close to their hearts, whom they helped raise: Anne Hayden, Mallie and Frances Bromberg, all of Birmingham, AL. He has one surviving sister, Virginia Benton of Amory.


A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, January 4, 2015 at Becker Baptist Church with Bro. Randy Spencer and Bro. Charlie Ballew officiating. Graveside Funeral Services, with military honors, will be held at 1:00 PM at Corinth National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Howard Crump, Dewayne Crump, Danny England, Robert Hudson, Chuck Cooper, Steven Reeves and Steve Bolin.

Visitation will be from 9 AM until the service at 10 AM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Becker Baptist Church
52200 Highway 25 South, Amory, MS, 38825.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.