Lillian Blanchard Tankersley

Lillian Blanchard Tankersley

Appling, Georgia- Mrs. Lillian Blanchard Tankersley, 88, entered into rest at her residence June 20, 2017.

In a quiet, unassuming way "Miss Lillian," as her family and neighbors referred to her, touched hundreds of lives by sending cards and notes to them on special occasions.  She was faithful in this chore. The cards would arrive by mail with an encouraging printed message on birthdays, anniversaries and other life events and would be signed simply "Love, Lillian." The beneficiaries of these tokens of friendship knew that the sentiment that she expressed in her hand, although brief, was genuine. In addition, she was a caring mother, grandmother, and friend to many neighbors in the Leah community, checking on them regularly. She dearly loved her daughters, Pauline and Carol, and their families and showed that through her attention to them.

She was always a worker. She worked in the church, she worked in her home, and she worked on the farm.  She instilled the value of hard work in her family by expression in her labor.  It was not uncommon to see her in the field working cows or helping to harvest hay.

Ms. Lillian was a devoted wife to her late husband Walter George Tankersley, who predeceased her, rising early to be certain he had a hearty breakfast and to prepare his lunch pail to take to the "mill." Many times after supper she and Walter George would ride the pastures to check on the cattle and fences.

She cared for the safety of many children of Columbia County citizens as a bus driver with the school district for many years in addition to everything else she was involved in. Many folks who were not closely related to her called her "grand maw," because of the love that she showed them. Her Blanchard family has a long history of service to the people of Columbia and surrounding counties.

Survivors include her daughters, Pauline T. Smith of Appling, GA and Carol Norman (Walker) of Lincolnton, GA; sisters, Dorothy Brown of Shallotte, NC and Nannette Tankersley (Robert) of Appling, GA; grandchildren, Karyn Smith Spratlin (John),  James Blanchard Norman (Emily), Robin Smith (Brittany) and Leighton Taylor (Meagan); and great grandchildren, Georgia Spratlin, John Walker Norman, and Sadie Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock p.m., Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Damascus Baptist Church with the Rev. David Stockton officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wayne Tankersley, Brian Tankersley, Brad Tankersley, Dean Hewitt, Mike McCombs and Gene Fuller.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. prior to the service in the church fellowship hall.

It is the family's request that memorial contributions be made to Damascus Baptist Missions Funds, 6375 Ridge Road, Appling, GA 30802 or Heartland Hospice Care, 153 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907-5061.

Beggs Funeral Home, Thomson, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.