Mr. Ben Franklin Tanner, age 74 of Axson, GA passed away late Monday evening, June 18, 2018, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Tanner was born June 16, 1944, to the late Thomas Jonathan Tanner, II, and the late Beadie Idell Guthrie Tanner. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by: brothers: Ralph Tanner, Mark Tanner and Jonathan Tanner.
Mr. Tanner was a prominent farmer in the Stokesville Community and he had also served in the Georgia National Guard. He was a member of Stokesville Baptist Church and Georgia Game Breeders Association.
Survivors include: children: Brandi Hester and her husband Shawn, Becki Smith and her husband Jonathan both of Douglas, GA., and Dr. Benji Tanner of Homerville, GA.; grandchildren: Ethan Hester, Hannah Hester and Bowen Smith all of Douglas, GA.; sisters: Jane Vincent, Bonnie Griffis and Elva Butler all of Axson, GA.; special friends: Bill “Bunk” Spivey and Ricky Shaw; several extended family members and close friends.
The funeral service was held Thursday morning, June 21, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Stokesville Baptist Church where Rev. Bobby Pierce and Rev. Billy Musgrove officiated. The interment followed in Stokesville Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers: Tom Tanner, Wade Tanner, Greg Griffis, Jeremy Johns, Cleeg Mathews and Luke Kinnebrew.
Honorary Pallbearers: Bill “Bunk” Spivey, Ricky Shaw, Benjamin Rodriquez, Bryan Wright, David Nettles, Roy Brady, Wayne Pope, Reggie Wright, Gregorio Ruiz, David Spivey, Robert Harvey, Jess Tanner, Mickey Mizell, Wendell Threatt, Clay T. Spivey and Dick Griffis.
Ricketson Funeral Home was is in charge of the arrangements.