Hemingway, SC

Wilma Stone Tanner, 98, of Hemingway, SC, passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, July 29. Her Funeral Service will be held at her church of many years, Hemingway First Baptist Church, followed by burial at Eaddy-Ford Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 1, from 1:30-3:00 pm at the church prior to the service at 3:00. Wilma was born May 10, 1920, in the Vox Community of Florence County, daughter of W. Austin and Florrie Lyerly Stone and was raised by her grandparents Olin B. and Eulalie Stone after her mother's death when Wilma was two. In 1937 she married Raymond Everett Tanner, and they enjoyed 77 years together until his death at the age of 95. Together they raised a family, worked hard, and in retirement enjoyed traveling and vacationing in Ocean Lakes. Wilma was known for her talent in the kitchen, which led to her long catering career. Her wedding cakes and other special occasion cakes were in high demand, and she catered many wedding receptions, as well as a special reception for Vice President of the United States, Spiro T. Agnew. Her love for feeding people continued well into retirement, as anyone who ever visited her home could attest. Wilma will be remembered by her loved ones as the heart and backbone of her family. She is survived by her sons John E. (Elaine) of Indiantown, William (Sandra) of Pawleys Island, Carroll (Sue) of Hemingway, daughter Ava Grooms (Sonny) of Florence, and son-in-law Charles Overcash of Summerton; nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren; and half-brother Gerald (Pansy) Stone of Johnsonville. She was preceded in death by infant daughter Remona Tanner, daughter Elaine Tanner Overcash, grandsons Gregg Tanner and Chuck Overcash, half-brothers Norman, Murdock, Willie, and Vernie Stone, and half-sister Nancy Mayne. The family would like to extend special thanks to her caregivers Vicki Lee and Sue Altman and others for their dedicated service over the last few years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Eaddy-Ford Cemetery Fund, 776 Whispering Pine Road, Johnsonville, SC 29555 or Amedisys Hospice, 500 Pamplico Highway, Suite D, Florence, SC 29505.

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