God called a very dear man to Heaven on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from the CVICU at Huntsville Hospital. God needed a man who could design, repair, and build special things in heaven.
Anthony Cecil Boatright was born April 2, 1963, in Birmingham, AL, at Carraway Hospital. He was the oldest of four sons, born to Cecil R. and Patricia L. Boatright of Locust Fork, Alabama.
Anthony inherited the Coronary Artery Disease and Hypertension genes from his father, Cecil Boatright, who died in the early morning hours of January 23, 1979, at the age of 36, in Anthony’s arms; Anthony was only 14.
Anthony went on to graduate from Locust Fork High School in 1981.
He was a proud Master Mason of Locust Fork #481 Grand Masonic Lodge and proudly served in the Alabama National Guard for 6 years. He eventually found his dream job as an aircraft mechanic at Pemco Air at Birmingham International Airport and also did contract jobs with Lockheed Martin in Georgia. Anthony was injured on the Job at Pemco Air, which eventually led to him staying home nursing injuries to his back and neck for 25 years.
In 2022, Arab City Schools desperately needed a Bus Mechanic. Anthony enjoyed three years of being part of the Arab City Schools family. Through his employment as a mechanic, both air and diesel, he achieved many certifications and licenses, including, but not limited to, his pilot’s license.
Anthony had a very loving and giving heart. God’s plan was for a “Blount County Boy” to meet an “Arab Girl” on May 12, 2000. Anthony and Margaret started “Growing Old Together” one year later, on May 12, 2001. They had nothing but a true Love Story for 25 years. They rode to work every day listening to his favorite Classic Rock Music and holding hands. On September 11, 2025, Margaret lost her Best Friend.
Anthony was preceded in death by his father, Cecil Boatright; stepfather, Ronny Branham; and brothers Randel “Bear” Boatright and A.K. Boatright, all of Cleveland, AL. Anthony is survived by his wife Margaret Boatright, daughters Elizabeth Chapin (Jeremy) of Edwards AFB, CA, Lisa Duke (Michael) of Cleveland, AL, and Cate Boatright, student at UAB, his mother Patricia Branham of Cleveland, AL, brother Marty Boatright (Melissa) of Cleveland, AL, sister-In-law Ann Boatright of Cleveland, AL, and stepbrother Shane Branham (Lucretia) of Cleveland, AL.
Anthony was a very proud PawPaw to his grandchildren: Olivia, Ava, Carson, Jaxon, Allyson, and Xavier.
Services for Anthony will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel. Immediate family will greet extended family members and guests for a visitation from 9:00am until service begins at 11:00am. Speakers at the service will be Dr. Mark Edwards and Mr. John Ingram, both administrators at Arab City Schools. Mr. Wendell Smith and Mr. Steve Beam will provide music. Escorting Anthony to his final resting place at Edgewood Baptist Church Cemetery in Locust Fork, Alabama, will be the pallbearers: Marty Boatright, Shane Branham, Dartyn Boatright, Chase Boatright, Jeff Gibbs, and Ryan Whisenhunt.
Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Dylan and Kayla Warnix, Tyler and Riley Branham (nieces & nephews), Stanley Bradley (Special Friend), and all the Arab City School Bus Drivers.
In lieu of flowers, an account has been set up at Merchants Bank for The Anthony Boatright Memorial Scholarship for an Arab High School student who wishes to go into mechanics.
