Robert Louie Tanner

Robert Louie Tanner, 82, of Americus, GA, formerly of Albany, GA, died June 16, 2015 at Magnolia Manor Retirement Center. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11:00 AM at the Magnolia Manor Chapel. Rev. Willie Beasley will officiate. Interment will follow in Andersonville National Cemetery with American Post # 30 of Albany, GA providing Military Honors.

A native of Harrison, GA, Mr. Tanner grew up on a farm and was one of seven children. All are deceased except one sister. He joined the United States Navy at sixteen years of age and transferred to the United States Air Force and completed twenty two years of service.

Mr. Tanner married the late Peggy Ann Sorrells in 1956 and had two daughters. He was a loving father and husband. After his retirement, he learned the plumbing trade and eventually started his own business, Odd Hours Plumbing of Albany, GA. Mr. Tanner loved the Lord and was always sharing his faith and performing acts of service for others. He was active in the community and was a member of and former Chaplin at the American Legion Post # 30. He was a former member of Faith Baptist Church and attended Avalon United Methodist Church.

His wife Peggy died in 1998. Louie later married Helen Bruner Lush and moved to Lake Blackshear. Mr. Tanner enjoyed thirteen years at the lake with Helen and they enjoyed traveling, volunteering at Habitat for Humanity of Cordele, GA, where he was a Board Member, and attending First United Methodist Church of Cordele. He also volunteered with Sam’s Short Line Rail Road and the United Methodist Church Walk to Emmaus. Louie joined the American Legion Post #2 in Americus once he moved to Lake Blackshear.

Mr. Tanner moved to Magnolia Manor in Americus, GA in 2012. He was a kind and compassionate man, loved the Lord, always had a kind and encouraging word for other people, and loved corny jokes.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Bruner Lush Tanner of Americus, GA, two daughters, Melinda Tanner White (Peter) of Memphis, TN and Melissa Diann Tanner of Jacksonville Beach, FL, two step-daughters, Anna Lush of Avera, GA and June Lush Forbes (Eddie) of Hampton, GA, two grand-children, Nicole Katherine White of Chicago, IL and Stephanie Ann White of Edgartown, MA and his sister, Claire Sheppard (Malcolm) of Sandersville, GA.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the Magnolia Manor Chapel.

Mr. Tanner will lie in state at Mathews Funeral Home on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made in memory of Louie to the Methodist Home for Children and Youth, Americus Campus, 100 Mill Creek Rd. Americus, GA 31709.