Alma Councill Tanner

Alma Councill Tanner of Chester, MD, lost her battle to cancer on Thursday, October 20, 2005 in her home surrounded by her family. She was 79. Born on April 26, 1926 in Chester, MD, she was the only daughter of the late, Alfred and Edna Coleman Harris. After graduating from Stevensville High School on May 19, 1943, she attended Baltimore Business College. She proudly raised two sons, and among other endeavors, worked for the Maryland Energy Assistance Agency, Centreville, MD, Nationwide Insurance Agency in Annapolis, MD for many years, the State of Maryland as a secretary and she owned a seafood business in Ozella, FL. Mrs. Tanner enjoyed traveling to Florida, Myrtle Beach and taking cruises, spending time with her many friends and family members. She was a member of the American Legion Post #278, the Kent Island Yacht Club, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post #7464, and the Bay Country Moose Lodge in Queenstown, MD. Mrs. Tanner was preceded in death by her husband of seventeen years and the father of her sons, Norman K. Councill, her husband William C. Thomas and her husband Thomas "Bus" C. Tanner, Sr. She is survived by her sons, Craig Councill and his wife Rhonda, and Jeffrey Councill and his wife Gerri, both of Stevensville, MD; two granddaughters, Marsha Councill Chase and her husband Glenn of Chesterfield, VA and Erica Councill and her fiance John Alvis of Easton, MD; a grandson, Cory Councill of Stevensville, MD; a step-son, Thomas C. Tanner, Jr. of Mechanicsville, MD; a step-daughter, Elise Zajak of Queenstown, MD; a step-granddaughter, Nancy Oertly and her husband John of Chester, MD; a step grandson, Danny Bunker and his fiance Lesley Jordan of Stevensville, MD; two step-great grandchildren, J.T. and Jason Oertley of Chester, MD. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., Chester, MD. Friends may call from 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Monday October 24, 2005. Burial will be in Stevensville Cemetery, Stevensville, MD. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Queen Anne''s, Inc., 300 Del Rhodes Ave., Queenstown, MD 21658.