Francis Tanner Obituary

Francis Marion Tanner, Jr. SUMMERVILLE - Francis Tanner, of Moncks Corner and lately Summerville, passed away on August 14, days after reaching his 93rd birthday. His health was robust until the last few months when he experienced a decline. Family members attended to him in his last weeks and days at his retirement community, Summerville Estates, where he was very loved and appreciated for his humor and kindness to all. Francis was born August 9, 1930 in Marion, SC to Trudeth Huggins Tanner and Francis Marion Tanner, Sr. He graduated from Marion High School and attended the University of South Carolina, studying electrical engineering. He then joined the U.S. Air Force and became a fighter pilot. He was considered one of the best pilots of the 74th Squadron, the Flying Tigers, and Francis had a lifelong love of his flying experiences. In 1953, Francis married Billie Elizabeth Lewis of Hemingway and they had two daughters, Gail and Kaye. Following the military, Francis and Billie followed a dream of having a small farm, a retreat into nature and wildlife, which they dearly loved. After ten years, they returned to Charleston and built a home on Isles of Palms, enjoying the beach and boating. Francis worked with the Navy in design and repair of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, where he was invaluable and highly commended until his retirement. They retired to the mountains of Asheville, again returning to a life surrounded by nature and had some of their "best years" with many friends there. Finally, Billie and Francis returned to Moncks Corner to live in a lakefront home they built in Pimlico Plantation, a beautiful setting very near the Cooper River. Here, they enjoyed relaxing in nature and boating on the many Lowcountry rivers and in Lake Moultrie with family and friends. The beauty of nature, along with music, was always prominent in their lives. Francis is missed by his family and the many friends he left behind. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Billie, his sister, Lenora Tanner Kirkland of Charleston, and beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. Francis is survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth Gail Ross and Cheryl Kaye Maki (Mark), along with many cousins, nieces and nephews in the Charleston, Hemingway and Marion areas. Francis was singing "Everything is Beautiful in Its Own Way", even in his last days. Please see Lowcountryfuneral.com (Search in "Obituaries") for a more detailed obituary.