Helen Tanner

Dallas, NC Helen Tanner, age 89, passed away August 12, 2013 at Stanley Total Living Ctr. She was born September 30, 1923 in Gaston County, daughter of the late Pinkney Avery Stafford and Stella Stafford Ray. Mrs. Tanner was retired from American Thread in Marble, NC. A funeral service will be held 4:00 pm on Thursday at Greene Funeral Service, South Chapel, 1503 S. York Rd., Gastonia, officiated by Rev. Jerry Willard. Pallbearers: Tanner Lasiter, Tyler Gonzales, Sammy Tanner Jr., Eddie Sale, Larry Beard Jr. Alexis Gonzales. Honorary Pallbearers: John Curtis Derreberry, Ian Curtis, Waylon Curtis, Josh Holloway, Landon Tanner, Kyndal Tanner, Noah Sale. The family will receive friends 2:00 - 3:45 pm prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Gaston Memorial Park, Gastonia. She is survived by: her sons, Russell B. Tanner of Dallas, NC, Larry D. Beard and wife, Sheila Diane Beard, of Andews, NC, Charles "Pete" Tanner and wife, Janet Tanner of Murphy, NC; daughter, Donnie Elaine Derreberry and husband, Lrry Derreberry of Murphy, NC; daughter in-law, Linda H. Tanner; brothers, Lloyd Stafford, Harold Kenneth Stafford; sister, Ethel Jean Brown; twelve grandchildren, twenty eight great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: her husband, Hubert Bryan Tanner; sons, Wayman I. Beard and Samuel R. Tanner Sr.; daughter in-law, Linda M. Tanner; brothers, Avery, Willard, Paul and Jason Stafford; sister, Lily Mae Stafford. Arrangements are with the South Chapel of Greene Funeral Service and Crematorium, Gastonia. A guest registry is available at greenefuneral.com.