Pearl Tanner

Ada Pearl Franklin Tanner was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Born January 14, 1930, in Deepstep, Georgia, she was the daughter of James Wade (J.W.) and Celia Hattaway Franklin, whom she loved very much. She grew up in the community of Harrison, Georgia alongside her best friend and sister, Edna, and her brother, Willie, whom she adored. The value of hard work, integrity, determination, and faith that she learned during her early years carried her throughout the rest of her life. Pearl was baptized at Harrison Baptist Church and was a graduate of Harrison High School where she played basketball.

In the Spring of 1947 while Pearl was working with her father to rebuild a tractor motor, she met her future husband, U.S. Marine, Louis Harrison Tanner, who had just returned home from bravely fighting in World War II. Charmed by her grit and grace, they were married three months later on July 6, 1947. Together they lived on Tanner Hill in Wrightsville, Georgia and raised one daughter and three sons. Pearl loved farming and dairy farming where she worked side by side with her loving husband of 54 years. She later worked as a master seamstress and retired from Apparel Craft in Wrightsville. She served as president of the Wrightsville American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Club and was a lifelong member and faithful servant of Union Hill Baptist church.

Her family was her pride and joy. Pearl was a devoted and loving wife and mother. She cherished her role as “MaMa” to her 10 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. In her 79 years living on Tanner Hill, she loved reading, gardening, watching her favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, and cooking or baking for her friends and family. She especially found joy in making gifts that displayed her artistry in sewing, crocheting, and needlework, which she crafted intentionally for those closest to her.

Pearl has left a beautiful legacy of unwavering faith, resilient strength and determination. It was because of her daily walk and love for the Lord that her family will be blessed for generations to come.

She is survived by her four children: Louis Harrison Tanner II (Phyllis), Cecilia Jewel Tanner Flanders (late Ken Flanders), James Eugene Tanner (Susan), and Timothy Franklin Tanner (Bonnie), all of Wrightsville; and many beloved nieces and nephews and cousins.

Survivors also include 10 grandchildren: Shannon Tanner Blizzard (Donald) of Wrightsville; Louis Tanner III (Jennifer) of Grey, GA; Teddy Tanner (Jessie) of Macon, GA; Micheal Falk (Kristen) of Lawrenceville, GA; Jennifer Flanders Thigpen (Scott) of Newnan, GA; Jim Tanner (Krystal) of Wrightsville; Will Tanner (Nan) of Wrightsville; Wyndie Tanner Oliver (Staten) of Shreveport, LA; Tift Tanner (Carmen) of Wrightsville, and Gina Tyson (Paul) of Scott, GA.

Great-Grandchildren (25) are: Hallie Blizzard Fenton (Jordan), Max Blizzard (Kaylee), Katie Tanner, Kelly Tanner, Lois Tanner, Shepherd Tanner, Gus Tanner, Houston Tanner, Lil’ Teddy Tanner, Heidi Tanner, Sydney Falk, Grant Thigpen, Callie Thigpen, Caroline Thigpen, William Tanner, Harrison Tanner, Carter Tanner, Brianna Tanner, Sara Kate Tanner, Abigail Oliver, Cecilia Oliver, Baylor Tanner, Tanner Sheffield, Kristen Ritchey (Jordan), Kaley Astin (Boyd). Great-Great Grandchildren (7) are: Joey Fenton, Walker Ritchey, Everett Ritchey, Jordie Ritchey, Sayler Lindsey, Grant Lindsey, and Hadley Lindsey.

She was preceded in death by her parents James Wade and Celia Hattaway Franklin; her husband, Louis Harrison Tanner, Sr; her siblings, Edna Franklin Cullens and Willie James Franklin.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Nightingales and Emmanuel County Nursing Home Staff and special thank you to Shannon Blizzard, Carmen Tanner, Dot Brantley and Mae Taylor.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 15, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Stanley Funeral Home in Wrightsville. The funeral will be Thursday, April 16, at 2:00 p.m. at Union Hill Baptist Church in Wrightsville.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Union Hill Baptist Church, 1241 Gumlog Rd, Wrightsville, GA, 31096 or to Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, 9420 Blackshear Hwy SE, Baxley, GA 31513.

Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory/Wrightsville Chapel has charge of funeral arrangements.