Emma Eugenia "Jean" Howes Tanner
(August 16, 1926 - October 12, 2011)

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 at the Evergreen United Methodist Church in Evergreen, Louisiana at 2:30 p.m. for Mrs. Jean Tanner, wife of Marvin Tanner, who passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011 after a brief illness. There will be a one hour visitation at the church prior to the service. Burial will follow in Bayou Rouge Cemetery, Evergreen under the direction of Melancon Funeral Home, Bunkie.

Mrs. Tanner was born in August of 1926 in Ponchatoula, Louisiana to Louis and Della Howes where she was raised until her graduation from Ponchatoula High School in 1943. Following high school she attended and graduated from Southeastern University in 1946 with a B.A in Home Economics and upon completing her degree from Southeastern, Mrs. Tanner taught High School in Evergreen for two years. In December of 1948 she married her beloved husband, Marvin Tanner of Evergreen. Mrs. Tanner was active in the Evergreen Civic league for many years where she served as an officer for several years. Later in life, she learned to play the piano and became the pianist for the Evergreen United Methodist Church. Mrs. Tanner was known for her horticultural skills and her yard, as well as many of those in the community, was a testament to her talents.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Della Howes, one brother Louis, and one sister Helen Howes Heitman.

Survivors include her devoted husband of 62 years, Marvin, 5 daughters, Susan and husband Jim Hawthorne; Sara and husband Roger Cyr; Sally and husband Rick Namie; Sandra and husband Dale Ballew; Sherrie and husband Randy Smith; one son, Marvin and wife Kathleen; fourteen grandchildren, Sara, Will, Ben and Luke, children of Susan and Jim; Roger and Rachel, children of Sara and Roger; Josiah, son of Sally and Rick; Chesley daughter of Sandra; Steven and Heather, children of Sherrie and Randy; Daniel, Matthew, Sam, and Joe Willie, children of Marvin and Kathleen.

She was a wonderful wife, a wonderful mother, a wonderful mother-in-law, and a special grandmother. All who knew her were richly blessed. Heartfelt appreciation is expressed to the staff and many employees of the Lexington Court Nursing Home and Med Central Hospice for their compassionate care.