Vernell C. Tanner

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Saturday December 1, 2012 at Wards Funeral Home Chapel for Vernell C. Tanner, 99, born in New Holland and long time Gainesville resident. Rev. Billy Poole will officiate and burial will be in Alta Vista Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the funeral home.

Vernell was the daughter of the late James and Viola Buffington Turner. She was predeceased by her 7 siblings Henry Turner, Myrtle Brown, Cicero Turner, A.V. Turner, Calvin Turner, Montine Evans and Dorothy Alexander.
She married Hollis W. Tanner, also of Gainesville, who was killed in World War II in Normandy and she never remarried.

She was a tireless church worker who was head of New Holland Baptist Church Training for years, State Nursery Work Leader for the Michigan Southern Baptist Convention and helped start Necker Valley Baptist Church in Stuttgart, Germany.

She was a world traveler who visited California, Alaska, Israel, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey and Germany where she adopted the name "Oma" which is German for Grandmother.

She was always helping where needed and helped her sister Myrtle and niece Marie Poole when Myrtle's husband, Delmar Brown, developed Altzheimer's . As Marie said, "She came to help and stayed until he died , I don't know what I would have done without her." There are many stories like that. She was always doing what she could to serve the Lord.

Her life was one well lived ! She was loved by all and will be missed.

She was preceded in death by a daughter Barbara Abel , whom was married to Terry Abel of Las Vegas, NV. She is survived by a Daughter and Son-in-law Carol and Daniel Wagner of Dahlonega, Ga., Grandchildren Heather Abel of Las Vegas,NV, Dr. Matthew and Marie Combiescou Schwartz of Las Vegas, NV , PA, Kris and NP, Jessica Barry Abel of Alaska, PA, Davina and Stacey Braselton of Hoschton, Ga., Great Grandchildren Mason Roberts, Emily Schwartz, Landon Braselton and Camille Schwartz.

Wards Funeral home 758 Main Street Gainesville in charge of arrangements. Online condolences to wardsfh.com