Betty Jane Tanner

Betty Jane Tanner, 88, of Cape Girardeau, passed away peacefully Friday evening, December 31st, at her son's home in Cape. She was born May 27, 1933, in Bragg City, Missouri, daughter of Corbet and Theodoshia Rainwater. She and Eugene Tanner were married September 9, 1948 in Piggott, Arkansas. He preceded her in death October 24, 1992. Betty spent much of her married life raising her 4 children, but also helped supplement the family income by working in sales (Avon, Fuller Brush, etc.) She impressed people. When applying for a sales clerk position at a Cato's store in Sikeston, she impressed the interviewer so much that she was offered the manager position instead. Betty later went into nursing school and graduated first in her class as an LPN. She worked as a nurse at Missouri Delta hospital and as a school nurse in the Sikeston Public School system. She then worked side by side with her husband at Tanner Floor Fashions. Betty was a member of the Church of Christ and spent many years being the Lord's servant through teaching and example. Survivors include 3 children, Larry (Karen) Tanner of Cape Girardeau, MO, Pamela (Kirk) Durbin of Huntsville, AL, and Karen Tanner of Meridianville, AL; grandchildren, Tina Duley, Matthew Tanner, Alecia Tanner, Megan Stewart, Alan Tanner, Dustin Durbin, Bart Durbin, Drew Durbin, Neal Durbin, Emily Stamps, Noah Koonce, Halle Koonce and Joel Koonce, 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son (Greg), 7 sisters and 3 brothers. Visitation will be at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, MO, at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2022 with the funeral service at 3 p.m. with long-time friend and minister, Johnny Hester officiating. A "memory walk" through pictures will be held at the West End Blvd. Church of Christ at 4 p.m.