Mary Ann Tanner

Beloved mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and friend, Mary Ann Evans Tanner passed away May 12th, 2019 at the gentle age of 89. In her lifetime, Mary Ann held an infectious passion for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her family, adventures through travel, and sharing beauty through art and her garden. With her huge heart, beaming smile and enormous capacity to love, Mary Ann lived life to its fullest and dedicated her time and talents to these joyful pursuits.

After growing up in Houston Texas, Mary Ann attended Baylor University where she met and soon married Louis C. Tanner, Jr., better known to most as “L.C.” The oil and gas industry moved them to Corpus Christi in 1957 where they raised their three children and lived out the remainder of their lives.

Mary Ann exhibited her faith in Christ and love for her Lord by committing time as a Sunday school teacher for the Carita class at First Baptist Church, working tirelessly on mission efforts on the Mexico border, as a group leader with Bible Study Fellowship, and leading a Bible study group in her home.

Even as she approached her 90th birthday, it was not unusual to find Mary Ann tending to her flower garden where she created beauty to share with friends and family who would sit with her and talk about what flourishes there.

Painting was another source of creative expression for Mary Ann. She studied art in the Rockport studio of Simon Michael and painted subject matter from her garden and her travels.  She was inspired by the works of famous impressionists and traveled the world to see their works although she had her own unique style that was distinct and lovely. Her passion for art led her to teach a weekly class at First Baptist Church, participate as an active member of the Art Center of Corpus Christi, and support the establishment of its current location on the waterfront.   

Mary Ann’s desire to travel was a perfect match for assisting the First Baptist Church “Gadabouts”, a senior adult travel group, to experience cultures and countries around the world. She had a way of sniffing out adventure and then recounting her travels to friends and family in ways that inspired them to discover the joys of traveling. Her favorite travel companion was always her husband L.C.

Mary Ann is survived by her brother Joe Evans and wife Nan, son Louis E. Tanner and wife JoAnne, daughter Melissa Tanner Higginbotham and husband Lee, son John Tanner and wife Dawn, and her grandchildren: Chris Tanner and wife Michelle, Virginia Tanner McGuire and husband Jimmy, Ben Higginbotham, Wes Higginbotham, Katie Tanner, Joey Tanner and Abby Tanner.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Louis C. Tanner Jr. and brother, Walter S. Evans Jr.

Friends and family are welcome to celebrate Mary Ann’s life at a visitation at Seaside Funeral Home on Friday, May 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and a funeral service at First Baptist Church on Saturday, May 18, at 10:00 a.m. with a graveside service following at 11:30 a.m. at Seaside Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Art Center of Corpus Christi https://public.artcentercc.org/web/donate, or South Texas Children's Home https://www.stchm.org/ways-to-help/

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.