Betty J. Tanner

BETTY JO (GRUNDY) TANNER Betty Jo(Grundy)Tanner passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 in Houston TX. She was a native San Antonian born on April 5, 1945 to parents, Jesse Grundy and Evelyn Branch. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Robert Grundy. Betty is survived by her three children along with their families; Rochelle Tanner King and her children, Evelyn (Javon) Merritte, Helen and Deanna King and infant great grand daughter, Dallas Marie Merritte. Roderick "Chico" D. Tanner, Jr. (Lisa) and their children, Royce and Lawren. Rickey Dion Tanner (Michelle) and their children, Dillan and Collin. Betty is also survived by her siblings, Michael Tease, Regina Grundy, Johnnie Anita Jenkins and Gloria and Charles Walker along with a host of other loving relatives and friends. Betty devoted her life to the care of others. Her primary professional career was focused on community care and the nurturing of children and youth working for the Boys and Girls Club of America and the American Red Cross. She spent the majority of her professional career as the long time Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Anemia Association of San Antonio. Betty's Sickle Cell Disease initiatives improved the lives of individuals with the disease by enhancing their ability to access quality care. She helped bridge the gap between what was happening at research labs and patient families to develop a healthier community. The work she accomplished with Sickle Cell Disease will live long after her. She served on and with many local community Boards and organizations, one of which was Queen of Soul of San Antonio, she worked with this organization for several years in the early eighties. "GaGa" as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren played an intricate part in each of their lives. Evelyn remembers always enjoyed watching movies with GaGa and making Big Red floats. Helen fondly remembers watching soap operas together and GaGa putting Shirley temple curls in her hair. Royce loved when GaGa made him Cream of Wheat and he too watched the soaps with her. She taught Lawren the joy of relaxing with a hot bubble bath at the tender age of three. Lawren also enjoyed helping GaGa in the kitchen and drinking coffee with the toast GaGa made her. Everyone that knew Betty knows what wonderful things came out of her kitchen. Betty loved to cook, her meals were famous not only to her family and friends but to all the social events and weddings she catered over the years. Betty was a very creative person and her passion was evident in everything she set out to do.