Ben Franklin Tanner

June 16, 1944 - June 18, 2018

Mr. Benjamin “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 3 Brothers, Ralph Tanner, Mark Tanner and Jonathan Tanner. Mr. Tanner, a native of Coffee County, was a prominent Farmer of the Stokesville Community. He was a Game Breeder and a member of the Georgia Game Breeder Association. Mr. Tanner was member of Stokesville Baptist Church. Survivors include: 3 Children: Brandi Hester and her husband Shawn and Becki Smith and her husband Jonathan both of Douglas, GA and Dr. Benji Tanner of Homerville, GA 3 Grandchildren: Ethan Hester, Hannah Hester and Bowen Smith all of Douglas, GA 3 Sisters: Jane Vincent, Bonnie Griffis and Elva Butler all of Axson, GA 2 Special Friends: Bill “Bunk” Spivey and Ricky Shaw Several extended family members and close friends The funeral service was held, Wednesday morning, June 21, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Stokesville Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Musgrove and Rev. Bob Pierce officiating. The interment followed in Stokesville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Stokesville Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Active Pallbearers were: Tom Tanner, Wade Tanner, Greg Griffis, Jeremy Johns, Cleeg Mathews and Luke Kinnebrew. Honorary Pallbearers were: Bill “Bunk” Spivey, Ricky Shaw, Benjamin Rodriguez, 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. Special Musical Selections, “Not for Sale” and “Drinking from My Saucer” were presented by the Soloist and Guitarist, Henry Dennard and at the Graveside, “Amazing Grace”, was presented by the Guitarist and Soloist, Henry Dennard. “Pre-Lude” and “Post-Lude” soft hymns were rendered by the Pianist, Patty Spivey. Ricketson Funeral Home was in charge of the Arrangements.