Rev. Buford Tanner

1935 - May 29, 2019

REV. BUFORD MARTIN TANNER, SR., age 83, of Eastman, GA, passed Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at his residence.

Obituary for Rev. Buford Tanner

REV. BUFORD MARTIN TANNER, SR., age 83, of Eastman, GA, passed Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at his residence.

 Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, June 1, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Dr. Mark Boyd officiating, with interment in Fair Haven Baptist Church Cemetery.

 Rev. Tanner was a native of Sandersville, GA, a member of Union Baptist Church in Pitts, GA, and a 1954 graduate of Sandersville High School. He received his associates degree from Brewton-Parker College, his bachelor’s degree from Mercer University, and was a 1982 graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO with his master’s degree. He served as a Baptist minister for over 66 years at a number of churches and was a host of Daily Devotions on WUFF radio for many years. He enjoyed being with his family, gardening and woodworking, was a committed husband and loving father, and was a dedicated and true Christian family man who lived what he preached. Rev. Tanner was son of the late Bessie Pearl Josey Tanner and George Willis Tanner and was preceded in death by 3 siblings, Curtis Tanner, Christine Dalton, and Laverne Beal.

 Survivors: Wife of 65 years – Martha Victoria Fordham Tanner of Eastman; son – Martin Tanner (Ginny) of Eastman; 2 daughters – Ellen Tanner Boyd (Dr. Mark) of Sharpsburg, GA, and Sondra Renee Tanner Haun (Terry) of Eastman. He is also followed by 10 grandchildren – Jennifer Giddens (Chris), Trina Lampp (Adam), Willis Tanner (Cortney Thompson), Dr. Joshua Boyd (Rachael), Jonathan Boyd (Maryeve), Lori Jones (Chris), Gene Haun, Marie Robinson, Eli Haun (Marissa Holder), and Hannah Haun (Andrew Price). There are 15 great-grandchildren, as well as a sister – Evelyn Love of Macon; sister-in-law – Mae Alice McMillian of Hardwick, GA; brother-in-Law – Zennes Fordham (Ann) of Gray and several nieces and nephews.

 The family may be contacted at the Tanner residence, 62 Hightower Rd., Eastman, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 10:00AM-11:00AM Saturday, June 1.


About Us

Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.

Our Location