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Earlene Tanner
Schenectady, New York
September 12, 1934 - April 27, 2025
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Earlene Tanner Obituary
It is with deep sorrow and yet with grateful remembrance that we announce the passing of Mrs. Earlene (Allen) Tanner on Sunday, April 27, 2025. A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Earlene lived a life rich in faith, love, and service to others.
Born on September 12, 1934, in Schenectady, NY. She was the daughter of the late William and Mary Lee (Chaires) Allen. Earlene was blessed with an unwavering faith in the Lord from a young age. She became a member of Duryee Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in 1950, where she was also baptized. Her spiritual journey was marked by a deep commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus Christ. Through every triumph and trial, Earlene’s trust in God's plan remained steadfast.
Earlene was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend who cherished her family. Earlene’s home was a haven of grace, filled with love, laughter, delicious food and prayer. She extended this same love to her church community, serving faithfully on numerous boards and ministries, including the Stewardess Board, Deaconess Board (Past President), Conference Workers, Lay Council, Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, Home Missions, Floral Club, Senior Choir, Duryee Mass Choir, and the Duryee Gospel Choir. Earlene generously offered her gifts, time, and talents.
Earlene’s heart for service was evident even as a young woman. As a senior in high school, she participated in the Cadet Teachers Program, which allowed selected students to attend academic classes in the morning and assist teachers in their classrooms in the afternoon. Earlene graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady and later from the Manhattan State Hospital School of Nursing in 1956. She also attended Hunter College in New York City.
Earlene’s professional career as a Registered Nurse was one of excellence and compassion. Earlene worked at Manhattan State Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, and New York University’s Hospital for Joint Diseases. After returning to Schenectady in 1957, she continued her nursing career at St. Clare's Hospital, the Carver Community Center (W.I.C. Program), and also did some private duty nursing. In 1975, she joined the New York State Office at Oswald D. Heck Developmental Center as a Supervising Nurse, where she served for over 25 years until her retirement in April 2000. Her selfless actions were a living reflection of the love of Christ.
Earlene leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, service, and unwavering faith. Though we mourn her departure from this earthly life, we rejoice in the blessed assurance that she is now in the presence of the Lord, welcomed with the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: Thou hast been faithful over a few things.” (Matthew 25:21).
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 42 years, Willie Fred Tanner; her parents, William and Rev. Mary Lee Allen; her brothers, Arthur Allen and the Honorable Joseph L. Allen; niece, Sharon Bates and grandson, Troy Tanner.
Earlene is survived by her four beloved children, William Fred (Kelly) Tanner, Mark Tanner, Gerald B. Tanner Sr., and Nicole Tanner all of Schenectady, NY; her cherished grandchildren, Katherine McLeod, Gerald B. Tanner Jr, Jeanine Vessels, Teyanna Tanner, Mark Tanner Jr., Ashley Wood, Gideon Macdonald, Simone Mericer, Grayson Mericer; and her 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved nephew, Arthur Allen; nieces, Michelle Coger and Lisa Modest; Goddaughter and niece Lakeia Allen Bowman; her cousins and close friends, Barbara Gardner and Clara Stamper , and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
A celebration of Earlene’s life will be held at Duryee Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 307 Hulett Street, Schenectady, NY 12307, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Calling hours will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed immediately by the funeral service at 12:00 p.m.. Earlene’s final resting place will be at Schenectady Memorial Park in Rotterdam, NY.
May her example of love, faithfulness and perseverance continue to inspire us, and may we find comfort in knowing that Earlene now rests in eternal peace, embraced by the everlasting love of her Lord and Savior Jesus The Christ.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Earlene, please visit our Tree Store.
It is with deep sorrow and yet with grateful remembrance that we announce the passing of Mrs. Earlene (Allen) Tanner on Sunday, April 27, 2025. A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Earlene lived a life rich in faith, love, and service to others.
Born on September 12, 1934, in Schenectady, NY. She was the daughter of the late William and Mary Lee (Chaires) Allen. Earlene was blessed with an unwavering faith in the Lord from a young age. She became a member of Duryee Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in 1950, where she was also baptized. Her spiritual journey was marked by a deep commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus Christ. Through every triumph and trial, Earlene’s trust in God's plan remained steadfast.
Earlene was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend who cherished her family. Earlene’s home was a haven of grace, filled with love, laughter, delicious food and prayer. She extended this same love to her church community, serving faithfully on numerous boards and ministries, including the Stewardess Board, Deaconess Board (Past President), Conference Workers, Lay Council, Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, Home Missions, Floral Club, Senior Choir, Duryee Mass Choir, and the Duryee Gospel Choir. Earlene generously offered her gifts, time, and talents.
Earlene’s heart for service was evident even as a young woman. As a senior in high school, she participated in the Cadet Teachers Program, which allowed selected students to attend academic classes in the morning and assist teachers in their classrooms in the afternoon. Earlene graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady and later from the Manhattan State Hospital School of Nursing in 1956. She also attended Hunter College in New York City.
Earlene’s professional career as a Registered Nurse was one of excellence and compassion. Earlene worked at Manhattan State Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, and New York University’s Hospital for Joint Diseases. After returning to Schenectady in 1957, she continued her nursing career at St. Clare's Hospital, the Carver Community Center (W.I.C. Program), and also did some private duty nursing. In 1975, she joined the New York State Office at Oswald D. Heck Developmental Center as a Supervising Nurse, where she served for over 25 years until her retirement in April 2000. Her selfless actions were a living reflection of the love of Christ.
Earlene leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, service, and unwavering faith. Though we mourn her departure from this earthly life, we rejoice in the blessed assurance that she is now in the presence of the Lord, welcomed with the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: Thou hast been faithful over a few things.” (Matthew 25:21).
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 42 years, Willie Fred Tanner; her parents, William and Rev. Mary Lee Allen; her brothers, Arthur Allen and the Honorable Joseph L. Allen; niece, Sharon Bates and grandson, Troy Tanner.
Earlene is survived by her four beloved children, William Fred (Kelly) Tanner, Mark Tanner, Gerald B. Tanner Sr., and Nicole Tanner all of Schenectady, NY; her cherished grandchildren, Katherine McLeod, Gerald B. Tanner Jr, Jeanine Vessels, Teyanna Tanner, Mark Tanner Jr., Ashley Wood, Gideon Macdonald, Simone Mericer, Grayson Mericer; and her 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved nephew, Arthur Allen; nieces, Michelle Coger and Lisa Modest; Goddaughter and niece Lakeia Allen Bowman; her cousins and close friends, Barbara Gardner and Clara Stamper , and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
A celebration of Earlene’s life will be held at Duryee Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 307 Hulett Street, Schenectady, NY 12307, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Calling hours will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed immediately by the funeral service at 12:00 p.m.. Earlene’s final resting place will be at Schenectady Memorial Park in Rotterdam, NY.
May her example of love, faithfulness and perseverance continue to inspire us, and may we find comfort in knowing that Earlene now rests in eternal peace, embraced by the everlasting love of her Lord and Savior Jesus The Christ.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Earlene, please visit our Tree Store.