Harry W. Tankersley

Harry W. Tankersley went to be with his Lord on August 5, 2021. He was born in Bulloch County, Georgia on June 9, 1945, the second child of Hubert P. Tankersley, Sr. and Cleo Akins Tankersley. Mr. Tankersley attended schools in Statesboro, Georgia, graduating from Statesboro High School—the Class of 1963. He continued his education, first at Brewton Parker and then Georgia Southern where his emphasis was in Business and Marketing. In high school and college, Mr. Tankersley worked part-time for Piggly Wiggly Southern.

In 1963, while attending Brewton Parker College, he met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Bettye” Griffin. However, the two never dated until Bettye came to Georgia Southern College in 1965. They were married on New Year’s Eve, 1966.

Mr. Tankersley loved his God, his family and his country, serving in the US Army and Georgia National Guard at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Fort Campbell, Kentucky and eventually honorably discharged at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

After his discharge, he went to work full-time with Piggly Wiggly, working in Statesboro, Sylvania, Lyons and Swainsboro.  Ultimately, he worked his way up the chain and returned home to become store manager at the Piggly Wiggly College Plaza where he remained until his retirement in 1988. Never one to sit around idly, Mr. Tankersley then went to work with National Distributing until he again retired in 2002.

Harry and Bettye were blessed with two wonderful children, Angela Frances and Alan Wayne Tankersley (Jenny); four grandchildren, Alana T. Carter , Ansley Elizabeth Daughtry, Wilton Wayne Tankersley and Jessie Leigh Daughtry.

Currently, Harry is a member of Statesboro First Baptist but he had been a member of Emit Grove Baptist Church for many years and was ordained as a Deacon in 1978, taking Emeritus status in 2017. He served on many committees and was also the first church administrator. He loved to Cook for all size groups and prepared many meals. He also volunteered with the American Red Cross Blood Drives and Disaster Relief and the Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief. He considered it an honor to also serve on the boards of the BCM at Georgia Southern and Ogeechee River Baptist Association.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Hubert Tankersley, Jr. and his beloved Bulldog, Nash.

He is survived by his wife of more than fifty years, Bettye Griffin Tankersley; daughter, Angela Daughtry; son, Alan Tankersley (Jenny); four grandchildren, Alana T. Carter (Dylan) Ansley Daughtry, Will Tankersley and Jessie Daughtry; his brother, Hughie (Jan); his sisters Leetie Ann and Lynette; and his loyal dog, Sophie.

Visitation will be Monday, August 9, 2021, beginning at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Deal Funeral Directors with the service to follow at 2:00 PM with Pastor Darell Young officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Ogeechee Area Hospice, Statesboro First Baptist or Emit Grove Baptist Church.