Obituary for Virginia Elizabeth Tanner
Virginia Elizabeth Dally Tanner, age 80, of LaGrange, passed away on November 21, 2022. She was born on June 5, 1942 to the late Ray Homer Dally and Katherine Elizabeth Milligan Dally in Puyallup, Washington. She was an English Literature Lecturer at Texas A&M University before her retirement. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Todd Tanner; brother, Vern Dally; sister, Katherine Stoddard; niece, Wendy Dally.
Survivors include her husband, Harry Eugene Tanner; son, Scott Tanner; daughter, Debra Tanner Cathy; brothers, Ray Dally, and Bram Dally; sister, Deanna Dally; grandchildren, Rory Thornton, Brianna Cathey, Sofia K. Derscheid, Nicolette Tanner, Sydney Tanner, and Eli North; nieces, Nikki Dally, Shari Ulrich, Carrie Dally, Jessica Dally, Elena Stoddard, Anita Dally, and Sally Jo McPhaden; nephews, Steve Dally, Jeff Dally, Brian Dally, Brett Dally, David Stoddard, and Chip Ray; great nieces and nephews, Alison Ulrich, Abby Ulrich, Nathan Ulrich, Scott Ulrich, Angie Smith Whittington, Christy Hilyer, Steve Fowler, Summer Lehman; great-great nieces and nephews, Molly Gardner, Edmée Ulrich, Delta Ulrich, Abby Davis, Annabella Senter, Reagan Jones, Justin Jones, Axel Fowler, and Posie Jo Fowler; Close friends, the Lanier family of Acworth, Georgia and the Stewart family of LaGrange, Georgia.
With her unforgettable laugh and keen sense of humor, Virginia Elizabeth "Betti" Dally Tanner maximized her time here on Earth before suffering the ravages of Alzheimer's Disease and crippling arthritis. As a lifelong learner, she enjoyed good literature and the arts. Betti was an accomplished seamstress and master of arts and crafts; she made every occasion special. Her infectious glee at the possibility of creating fun accompanied her ability to apply skill and talent to every endeavor.
Betti's most beloved role in her life was being a "meme" and aunt. She celebrated her grandkids and rejoiced over each minuscule accomplishment. As an aunt, she was a perpetual supporter of her nieces, championing the causes of women's rights and their ability to achieve in whatever roles they chose.
Education became her focus and passion. Betti was a long-time Texas A&M University - Kingsville English professor known for her rigor, provoking new ways of thinking and careful attentiveness to the intellectual growth of her students. She received numerous accolades and awards for teaching excellence and service to the university and throughout South Texas.
Betti embraced the cause for students who struggled due to family poverty so prevalent in the Mexican American population. Her heart extended to this unsupported population while they were still in junior high and high school. She was one of the initiators of the GEAR UP Program (The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), designed to increase early college awareness, readiness, and success for low-income and historically underrepresented students. Betti received a grant from the US Department of Education to expand the program to neighboring school districts. It is now a Texas-wide, federally-funded program. Taking it one step further, Mom started "College for a Day" at A&M in Kingsville. Students from the surrounding rural areas came to the college campus and connected with students and faculty to spark a dream of their own.
Her fierce advocacy for the underserved population of South Texas led her to become involved in Court Appointed Special Advocates, known as CASA. This national volunteer movement supports and promotes court-appointed advocates for abused or neglected children. Betti served on the board for many years and as president of the Kleberg County CASA for 3 years.
In retirement, Betti and Harry returned to Georgia for a slower pace and to enjoy their beloved nieces, nephews, and dearest friends. Even in late-stage Alzheimer's disease, Betti's wit and spark for life could not be extinguished. Her sprinkling of pizazz and unmistakable laugh will be sorely missed.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the Higgins Funeral Home at Hunter Allen Myhand with Jana Kinnersley officiating. The family will gather for visitation at the funeral home from 10:00 - 11:00 AM.
Survivors include her husband, Harry Eugene Tanner; son, Scott Tanner; daughter, Debra Tanner Cathy; brothers, Ray Dally, and Bram Dally; sister, Deanna Dally; grandchildren, Rory Thornton, Brianna Cathey, Sofia K. Derscheid, Nicolette Tanner, Sydney Tanner, and Eli North; nieces, Nikki Dally, Shari Ulrich, Carrie Dally, Jessica Dally, Elena Stoddard, Anita Dally, and Sally Jo McPhaden; nephews, Steve Dally, Jeff Dally, Brian Dally, Brett Dally, David Stoddard, and Chip Ray; great nieces and nephews, Alison Ulrich, Abby Ulrich, Nathan Ulrich, Scott Ulrich, Angie Smith Whittington, Christy Hilyer, Steve Fowler, Summer Lehman; great-great nieces and nephews, Molly Gardner, Edmée Ulrich, Delta Ulrich, Abby Davis, Annabella Senter, Reagan Jones, Justin Jones, Axel Fowler, and Posie Jo Fowler; Close friends, the Lanier family of Acworth, Georgia and the Stewart family of LaGrange, Georgia.
With her unforgettable laugh and keen sense of humor, Virginia Elizabeth "Betti" Dally Tanner maximized her time here on Earth before suffering the ravages of Alzheimer's Disease and crippling arthritis. As a lifelong learner, she enjoyed good literature and the arts. Betti was an accomplished seamstress and master of arts and crafts; she made every occasion special. Her infectious glee at the possibility of creating fun accompanied her ability to apply skill and talent to every endeavor.
Betti's most beloved role in her life was being a "meme" and aunt. She celebrated her grandkids and rejoiced over each minuscule accomplishment. As an aunt, she was a perpetual supporter of her nieces, championing the causes of women's rights and their ability to achieve in whatever roles they chose.
Education became her focus and passion. Betti was a long-time Texas A&M University - Kingsville English professor known for her rigor, provoking new ways of thinking and careful attentiveness to the intellectual growth of her students. She received numerous accolades and awards for teaching excellence and service to the university and throughout South Texas.
Betti embraced the cause for students who struggled due to family poverty so prevalent in the Mexican American population. Her heart extended to this unsupported population while they were still in junior high and high school. She was one of the initiators of the GEAR UP Program (The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), designed to increase early college awareness, readiness, and success for low-income and historically underrepresented students. Betti received a grant from the US Department of Education to expand the program to neighboring school districts. It is now a Texas-wide, federally-funded program. Taking it one step further, Mom started "College for a Day" at A&M in Kingsville. Students from the surrounding rural areas came to the college campus and connected with students and faculty to spark a dream of their own.
Her fierce advocacy for the underserved population of South Texas led her to become involved in Court Appointed Special Advocates, known as CASA. This national volunteer movement supports and promotes court-appointed advocates for abused or neglected children. Betti served on the board for many years and as president of the Kleberg County CASA for 3 years.
In retirement, Betti and Harry returned to Georgia for a slower pace and to enjoy their beloved nieces, nephews, and dearest friends. Even in late-stage Alzheimer's disease, Betti's wit and spark for life could not be extinguished. Her sprinkling of pizazz and unmistakable laugh will be sorely missed.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the Higgins Funeral Home at Hunter Allen Myhand with Jana Kinnersley officiating. The family will gather for visitation at the funeral home from 10:00 - 11:00 AM.