Blarnie Thomas Tanner, Jr.

ROCKY MOUNT – Blarnie Thomas Tanner, Jr., 83, a Rocky Mount native, died on July 29, 2024, after a short illness. He was a son of Blarnie Thomas Tanner, Sr. and Mittie Jeffery Tanner. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 60 years, Olivia Hammond Tanner; son, Blarnie Thomas Tanner III (Molly); daughter, Lucy Tanner Brewer Womble (Stewart); brother, William Larry Tanner; sister, Vicki Tanner Penick (Chip); and four loving grandchildren, Riley Olivia Tanner, Carson Otto Tanner, Benjamin Hammond Brewer and Henry DeWitt Brewer, all of whom he dearly loved. He also is survived by nieces, nephews and many good friends. Blarnie graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High in 1959 where he played football and was an honorable mention All-Conference running back during his junior year. He won the NC High School Athletic Association Tennis Doubles Championship in 1958 and was the winner of the NCHSAA Tennis Singles Championship in 1959, a feat that no other tennis player has achieved at Rocky Mount Senior High. Blarnie attended East Carolina College on an athletic scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He was president and Historian of Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity, President of the Inter-Fraternity Council, and Tennis Team Captain his junior and senior years and played tennis positions of #1 and #2 during all four years. He was the winner of the Conference Singles Tennis Championship once, runner-up of the Conference Singles Tennis Championship twice, and winner of three Conference Doubles Championships. Upon graduation, Blarnie became a Field Representative of the Travelers Insurance Company in Richmond, VA for three years. After returning to Rocky Mount, he became owner and president of Alford-Tanner Insurance Co., Wilkinson-Bulluck Ins., and acquired a number of other independent insurance agencies. He sold Wilkinson-Bulluck to BB&T Co. and retired as Senior Vice President. He was a realtor, a graduate of the Realtors Institute of UNC-Chapel Hill, a member of the Rocky Mount Multiple Listing Service and a broker. He was in the insurance business for 35 years. Blarnie was a member of the Rocky Mount Jaycees, the Breakfast Optimist Club and a board member of Belmont Swim and Racquet Club. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church serving on the Board of Trustees. He was a longtime member of the Roanoke Tar River Gun Club and served as a member of its Board of Directors. Blarnie delighted in his daughter’s academic achievements which resulted in her becoming an attorney. He coached and managed his son’s tennis career from an early age and took great pleasure knowing his son played on the UNC-Chapel Hill tennis team and in his becoming a #3 National Men’s Amateur ranked player. In his later years, he and his wife discovered the West and maintained a residence in Jackson Hole, Wyoming that he loved sharing with his family and friends. Traveling across the country and seeing America was a highlight of their years together. Blarnie really enjoyed the fellowship of friends at “coffee groups” in Rocky Mount and Jackson Hole. Our family great appreciates all of his devoted care givers from Amada Senior Care, the Landings of Rocky Mount Mills and especially Cindy Riley who made him laugh and Georgia Butler who gave great suggestions about his care. A Memorial Service to celebrate Blarnie’s life will be held on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, 100 S. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, with Rev. Dr. David Joyner and Rev. Laura Goldenbaum-Yang officiating, with a reception to follow. A Private Family Graveside Service will be held at Pineview Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC 27804. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Blarnie’s memory to: First United Methodist Church, 100 South Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or Roanoke Tar River Gun Club, Attn: Parker Philips, P.O. Box 751, Battleboro, NC 27809. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.