Thomas Truett Tanner
October 28, 1927 ~ January 10, 2015
Signature Sympathy Cards
Thomas Truett Tanner went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 10, 2015. He was Born October 28, 1927 in Lasker, NC, the son of the late Matthias Thomas Tanner and the late Foyd Bridgers Tanner. He is also preceded in death by a brother, Matthias Mullins Tanner. A lifelong resident of eastern North Carolina, Mr. Tanner was a graduate of Wake Forest College in Wake Forest, NC with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was a avid supporter of Wake Forest University athletics.
Mr. Tanner started his career teaching and coaching high school in Fuquay, NC, and ended that career in Rockingham, NC, at Rohanen High School. "Coach Tanner" was respected by his players and returned many times to Rockingham to be honored by former players and associates. In 1954 he began his career with Allstate Insurance Company, moving his family to Rocky Mount in 1957. Mr. Tanner and his family enjoyed serving the community, and through his work, made many friends throughout eastern North Carolina. He continued with Allstate at the Truett Tanner Agency in Rocky Mount until his death. Having partnered with his devoted wife Mary and daughter Maria, they continue to carry on the tradition of caring for the community in his honor.
Mr. Tanner was an active member of Benvenue Baptist Church, serving in many capacities. He was a long-time deacon, being honored as Deacon Emeritus in 2008 for his many years of service.
Mr. Tanner is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Mary D.B. Tanner. Truett was also very proud of his seven daughters, Mary Foyd Tanner, Patricia Tanner Dent, Candace Tanner Talbert, Teresa Truett (Trudy) Tanner, Graylyn Tanner-Rice, Dr. Lisa Brumble and Maria Brumble Newcomb. Also surviving Mr. Tanner are his grandchildren, Lara Dent Ford, Wilson Dent, Haven Weston, Abigail Newcomb and Landon Newcomb; and great-grandchildren, Zachary Dent and Abby Dent.
The family would like to acknowledge the Staff of Autumn Care of Nash for the care provided to Mr. Tanner during his stay.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Benvenue Baptist Church, 2464 Benvenue Road, Rocky Mount, NC, with Pastor Wayne Ellis officiating. An evening visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 North Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC. Graveside Committal will follow services at Rocky Mount Memorial Park Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to, Wake Forest University Athletic Department, WFU Athletic Development/Deacon Club Staff, 499 Deacon Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27105, https://www.wfu.edu/giving., or Benvenue Baptist Church, 2464 Benvenue Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, http://www.benvenuebaptist.org., or The Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001, http://www.alzfdn.org/contributetoAFA/makeadonation.html.
Arrangements are entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Tuesday 1/13, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Service
Benvenue Baptist Church
2464 Benvenue Road
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Wednesday 1/14, 2:00 pm
Cemetery
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Truett was a true Southern gentleman devoted to his family & his faith & his Deacs! I appreciated his wisdom, his wit & all his many stories during my years of knowing him – May the memories of the good times sustain your famliy & speed your healing in the days ahead – Peace be with you – Tom Moore
Gina Garner Walker
Lit a candle in memory of Thomas Truett Tanner
Lit a candle in memory of Thomas Truett Tanner
Lit a candle in memory of Thomas Truett Tanner
Lit a candle in memory of Thomas Truett Tanner
Graylyn, I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing.
He made men out of young boys with his leadership in the athletic programs at Rohanen High School. He was devoted and caring as our coach and teacher. His memory has sustained me throughout my life and will continue always. May his family be comforted by Our Lord Jesus Christ. William Boyd Brigman Class of 59
Truly sorry for the painful hurt all of Truett’s family is feeling. That pain can be felt by his friends and other Allstate agents too. I can say that when I first met Truett in 1970 at the Allstate booth in Sears he was smiling like he is in the picture I see you have posted. With a phone to each ear , he even said to me I will be with you shortly. He was always showing that smile each and every time I saw him after that. A friendly man with smile to everyone , gives reason why he was well known in Rocky Mount area. I pray that his daughters and wife will cherish that smile along with all the good times they shared thru the years. I will keep you all in my prayers and know that GOD will carry you all in days,weeks and months ahead. In Christian Sympathy, Martha L. Barnes and family
Mary, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. My thoughts are with you and your family as you say goodbye. Pat Sledge BPWNC President 2014-15
you are in my thoughts and prayers. I’m sure Truett is having a blast, talking to everyone he meets. He was a special guy who took good care of his clients. HE’S GONE HOME! Delores Newcomb
you are in my thoughts at this time. Sincerely Dorothy Joyner
Truett has been added to the list of my most unforgettable people. His wit, enthusiasm, energy in everything he did and his smile I will remember. His picture posted is the Truett I remember and was blessed to know. His support and love for Benvernue Baptist was invaluable. To his loving wife, Mary, who faithfully fought the battle with him, I wish her comfort.. To hisentire family I wish you peace and wonderful memories. Truett has, indeed, stepped on shore and found it home. God Bless!
Coach Tanner came to our Rohanen school when I was in the seventh grade to start a sports program for the high school to be. I was tall and really wanted to play basketball as my older brother had played high school sports and taught me to shoot baskets. Lucky me, I was one of two seventh grade students to be chosen for the team. The rest of the team were eighth graders that went to another high school when they completed the eighth grade. It was my good fortune to play for Coach Tanner the next five years as Rohanen added a grade each year until we had the first senior class and the first graduation. He gave tirelessly to training us in the three sports that most high schools had at that time. He was more than a coach and teacher, he was a friend when we needed one, a counselor, and encouraged us to do our best, go to college, and always be good sports on and off the gym floor, football and baseball fields. Many of the students he had on his teams and in the classrooms feel they owe their successes to him. He really cared about us. Our teams were successful and with his guidance made it to the state play offs. He came to our Class reunions and at the fiftieth he spoke and recalled so many of the accomplishment that the teams had made. He remember the players and incidents that happened so long ago. He sold me our first car insurance, he moved away and we moved away leaving memories of good times and the fun years of high school behind us. God was good to give us memories to comfort us in our grief. I trust Mary and all his family will be comforted by their memories of his life well spent and a smile and greeting for all he met. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lit a candle in memory of Thomas Truett Tanner
Precious memories of Truett! We were Allstate all the way. My husband, Irvin Guy passed away in 1999.
Betty Guy