Charles Edward Tanner

SUMMERVILLE - Charles Edward "Ed" Tanner was born on November 14, 1937 to the late Willard A. Tanner and Julia Rice Tanner at Baker Hospital in Charleston, SC. He was baptized at Saint Barnabas Lutheran Church, Charleston, SC, and was a faithful member of Peace Lutheran Church in North Charleston, SC for over 30 years serving as a church Council member and usher.

After his graduation from Rivers High School, Ed attended The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. It was here that he formed his life long bond with the principles and standards of the institution. He proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1959 and remained an ardent and devoted fan of the school and its athletics for the rest of his life. Shortly after his college graduation, Eddie married the love of his life Lillian Prickett Tanner and they both left for Oklahoma where he entered service in the United States Air Force. Ed served his country until 1962 when they returned to their beloved S.C. to farm and run a dairy farm in St Matthews, SC.

A true entrepreneur, Ed and his wife established Tony's Pizza in Orangeburg in 1968, started Tanner's Memorials in 1970, and in 1978 brought La-Z-Boy Showcase Shoppe to Charleston. In 1988, they established Tanner's Furniture in North Charleston. During his last years, he assisted his friends and business colleagues in the Stinger Boat business. The one business constant during his life was Tanner's Memorials where he brought peace to countless families erecting monuments to their loved ones across the state for over 30 years.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lillian Prickett Tanner, daughter and son-in-law, Christopher Lee Glaze and Rebecca Tanner Glaze, son and daughter-in-law Mark Willard Tanner, and Bethany Grubb Tanner. He was blessed with 5 grand children, Katie Thompson, Erin Glaze, Emma Glaze, Matthew Tanner, and Anne Tanner. He had one great granddaughter, Emma Kate Thompson and many loved nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Donna Tanner, and brother-in-law and his wife, Mackie and Jackie Prickett. Ed was predeceased by his elder brother Julian H. Tanner, Sr. and his beloved son Matthew Dwayne Tanner.

Graveside funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, April 15, 2011 at West End Cemetery at 2 o'clock in St. Matthews, SC. Friends may call at PARKS FUNERAL HOME Thursday evening from 6 â€' 8 o'clock. Memorials may be made to The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409.

Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 West 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483.