LILA MAE PIPKIN TANNER

Lila Mae Pipkin Tanner, 91, widow of Harry Tanner Jr., died Friday, Oct. 4, 2014, at her home.

Born Feb. 16, 1933, in Andrews, she was a daughter of the late Lowell Pipkin and Loye Terry Pipkin. Mrs. Tanner was a member of Sumter Freewill Baptist Church of the Pentecostal Faith and was an honorary member of Frierson’s Tabernacle. She served her churches faithfully though the years, serving as a Sunday School teacher, music leader and in other ministries of the church. She owned and operated Value Shop Children’s Clothing Store. Her favorite Bible verse was Psalm 27:14, "Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

Survivors include three children, the Rev. Harry “Jim” Tanner III (Sarah), Terry Tanner Melton and John Roger Tanner, all of Sumter; eight grandchildren, Ashley Melton, Chelsea Waters (William), Kendal Melton (fiancé, Emily), Alise Tanner, Anna Tanner, Jack Tanner, Millie Tanner and Blaze Humphrey; three great-grandchildren, Charlotte Brock, Benjamin Brock and Thomas Waters; one sister, Margie Frances Locklear of Sumter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, W.L. Pipkin, Jimmy Pipkin and George Pipkin; and two sisters, Ruth Knight and Mary Ella Pipkin.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery officiated by the Rev. Mike Benton and the Rev. Al Sims.

Memorials may be sent to Frierson Tabernacle Building Fund, 2817 W Turbeville Hwy., Lake City, SC 29560.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.