Betty Tanner

Betty Jane Tanner, 88, of Cape Girardeau passed away peacefully Friday evening, Dec. 31, 2021, at her son's home.

She was born May 27, 1933, in Bragg City, Missouri, daughter of Corbet and Theodoshia Rainwater. She and Eugene Tanner were married Sept. 9, 1948, in Piggott, Arkansas. He preceded her in death Oct. 24, 1992.

Betty spent much of her married life raising her four children but also helped supplement the family income by working in sales (Avon, Fuller Brush, etc.).

She impressed people. When applying for a sales clerk position at a Cato's store in Sikeston, Missouri, she impressed the interviewer so much that she was offered the manager position instead. Betty later went into nursing school and graduated first in her class as a licensed practical nurse. She worked as a nurse at Missouri Delta Hospital and as a school nurse in the Sikeston School District. She then worked side by side with her husband at Tanner Floor Fashions.

Betty was a member of the Church of Christ and spent many years being the Lord's servant through teaching and example.

Survivors include three children, Larry (Karen) Tanner of Cape Girardeau, Pamela (Kirk) Durbin of Huntsville, Alabama, and Karen Tanner of Meridianville, Alabama; grandchildren, Tina Duley, Matthew Tanner, Alecia Tanner, Megan Stewart, Alan Tanner, Dustin Durbin, Bart Durbin, Drew Durbin, Neal Durbin, Emily Stamps, Noah Koonce, Halle Koonce and Joel Koonce; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Greg; seven sisters; and three brothers.

Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, with the funeral service at 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with long-time friend and minister Johnny Hester officiating. A "memory walk" through pictures will be at 4 p.m. at the Church of Christ on West End Boulevard.