Mary Alice Tanner, 70, of Portsmouth, went home to be with her Lord on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Concord Health & Rehab Center in Wheelersburg. She was born to the late Elmer A. and Alice L. Spencer Tanner on June 17, 1953, in Portsmouth.
Mary was a 1971 Portsmouth High School graduate. She received a Bachelor of Social Services degree from Hocking College and later attended Shawnee State University. She became fluent in ASL and received a certificate in ASL from SSU. She worked for 24 years as a Social Worker at SOCF prior to her retirement.
Mary felt called to the ministry from a young age. She loved the Lord with all her might and was passionate about loving and caring for people along with reading and studying God’s Word. Mary didn’t have children but took it upon herself to feed, clothe, and give of herself where she felt there was a need. She also loved to laugh and play practical jokes on people. She was a big OSU fan-GO BUCKS! She liked the WNBA and any other sport with a ball. Mary loved being a part of her family’s lives and was blessed to be a blessing to them.
Surviving are four siblings, Marcha (Ronald) Tanner-Stewart of Reynoldsburg, Richard (Ruby) Grant, William Tanner, and Crystal Taylor, all of Portsmouth; an aunt, Beatrice Melvin; and many nieces, nephews and their families.
In addition to her parents, Mary was also preceded in death by two siblings, Thomas Tanner, and Cecelia McKnight.
The funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Living Faith Temple in Portsmouth with Bishop Marcus Bendolph officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to services on Saturday.
