Sandra Bonita “Bonnie” Tanner
Sandra Bonita (Bonnie) Tanner, 81, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Bonnie Tanner was born in Charlotte, N.C. to the late Dr. A. Durward and Alowe Hitchcock Kesler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mell Jordan Tanner, Jr. and her brother, Walter Durward Kesler.
Bonnie graduated from Washington County High School in 1960, then attended G.S.C.W. (now Georgia College and State University) for two years as a music major. She graduated from Massey Business College in 1963.
One Sunday while singing at Sandersville First Baptist Church she was introduced to Mell Jordan Tanner, Jr., they started dating and married six months later on June 16, 1963. They spent those three years in Waynesboro, before moving to Monticello in 1966.
Bonnie worked for W. Dan Roberts, Attorney At Law in Monticello for 30 years.
They became members of Monticello Baptist Church where she became involved in the music program singing in the choir and playing the organ. Since she was raised in a musical family, music was her life. She was blessed with a talent for singing and all of her life her joy was using it for many different special events, especially singing the Star Spangled Banner at several sporting events.
Her dream of directing a church choir became a reality in 1980 and for 22 years she was music director of Monticello Baptist Church. As Christmas was her favorite time of the year, she enjoyed planning and conducting the Christmas Cantata when held at her church.
She enjoyed getting together with friends to play bridge and watching her favorite Georgia “Bulldawgs” play football on Saturday with her football girls. Most of all she was happy and content spending time with her family; especially, their annual trips to St. Simons Island the week of July 4th to watch the fireworks and to the Blue Ridge Georgia mountains during Thanksgiving week.
Survivors include her daughter, Bonita Kaye Tanner of St. Simons Island; son and daughter in law, Mell Jordan (J.) Tanner, III and Tiffany Tanner of Madison; grandsons, Nathaniel Jordan Tanner and Benjamin Duggan Tanner; sister-n-law, Susan T. Kesler of Kennesaw; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held today, July 11 at 11 a.m. at Monticello Baptist Church. Interment will be in West View Cemetery. Dr. Gary Abbott and Rev. David Artessa to officiate.
Serving as pallbearers will be Nate Turner, Ben Tanner, Matt Clark, Jared Clark, Joe McMichael, Danny McBroom, Alan Small and Charlie Lane.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to Monticello Baptist Church 334 W. Greene Street, Monticello, Ga. 31064; or any charity of your choice.
Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.