Earline Mildred Tanton

Mrs. Earline Reese Tanton, 96, passed away on November 2, 2018, at Westside Terrace in Dothan, Alabama.  Mrs. Tanton was born in Drew, Ms., the youngest of 7 children born to W.P. and Cannie Horton Reese. After graduating from high school, she moved to Memphis, Tn., and there she met and married Robert Edward Tanton, Senior Chief Aviation Machinist Mate (ADCS), USN, in 1943.  Bob and Earline had a long and loving marriage, and were the parents of 3 children. After her oldest son suffered a severe spinal cord injury at age 14, Mrs. Tanton went back to school and became an LPN.  She spent many years as a dedicated and proficient nurse. The family moved to Dothan in 1958, and soon joined First Baptist Church. She was an active member of the Dothan Mothers Club for over 60 years.  After being widowed, Mrs. Tanton moved to Baptist Village and lived there for 24 years. For many of those years she traveled often and enjoyed an active retirement.  Earlier this year she moved to Westside Terrace, under the care of Covenant Care Hospice. Mrs. Tanton was preceded in death by her husband Bob and their oldest son, Robert Edward Tanton, Jr. Both Bob, Sr and Bobby passed away in 1990.  She is survived by her son Frank E. Tanton, II (Cindy) and her daughter Suzanne Tanton Celec, all of Dothan, Al.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Eleson Tanton of Eufaula, Al., her granddaughters Heather Tanton Collier (Reid) of Richmond, Va., Sierra Celec of Norfolk, Va., and Arianne Tanton Marceil  (Quinn), of Durham, NC., great-granddaughter Sarah Tanton, Dothan, Al., and great-grandson  Rye Collier of Richmond, Va., her niece Sidney Mahan (John) of Elijay, Ga., and great-niece Mickey Goodwin McKenney (Mike) of Dothan, Al., as well as many other nieces and nephews.  The family would like to express our sincere appreciation for each of the caregivers at Baptist Village, Westside Terrace, and Covenant Care Hospice.  A graveside service will be held on Nov.4, 2018 at Memory Hill Cemetery, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for her extended family. 

“ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

And let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Proverbs 31: 30, 31

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