Francis William Tanner, age 81, of Bedford, VA, departed this earthly life on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Bedford Memorial Hospital. He was born on November 5, 1935 in Bedford, Virginia to the late Gladys Brawley Tanner and Burks Tanner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances Tanner, brother, Lorenza Tanner, daughter, Irene V. Tanner, and son, John Tanner.

Francis accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Antioch Baptist Church in Peaksville. He worked at Rubatex, Coffey & Saunders and eventually went into business for himself as a carpenter and a handyman. He loved to build things and work in his garden, which produced an abundance of vegetables each year.

He leaves to mourn his devoted son, Frank W. Tanner; two stepchildren, Jamie Snead and David Snead; five grandchildren, Kanvas Tanner, Kegan Tanner, Ryan Tanner, Tyson Tanner and William Harper; eight great-grandchildren, Kayvon Tanner, Kaiya Tanner, Kinady Tanner, Karter Tanner, Kaysen Tanner, Tyniyah Tanner, Tyanah Tanner, and Damarius Tanner; one sister, Lula Viola Campbell of Roanoke, VA; one sister-in-law, Nerlean Tanner of Bedford, VA, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 1pm at Antioch Baptist Church (7184 Wheats Valley Rd.  Bedford, VA.) Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may view from 1-7pm on Monday, August 21, 2017 at the funeral home.

Your smile has gone forever, Your hands we cannot touch.

Thank God for tender memories

Of one we loved so much.

It broke our hearts to lose you;

You said good-bye to none.

But a part of us went with you,