Helen McKinnell Tanner

Helen McKinnell Tanner, 75, of Mobile Alabama, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025 at USA Providence Hospital. Helen was born in Mobile on February 3, 1950 to John (Mac) and Dorothy McKinnell. Helen was a farmer’s daughter who worked alongside her parents and three siblings to plant, tend and harvest crops. She understood what it meant to work hard to help her family. She graduated from Baker High School in Mobile, Alabama where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Robert Tanner. Helen and Robert celebrated 56 years of marriage. She was a patient, devoted wife and loving mother to their daughter, Tammy. Her family increased when Tammy married Rick Gagnon and they had her one and only grandchild, Michael. She was the best Nannie ever! Everyone who knew Helen loved her to pieces. She had a kind heart and a sweet, gentle nature. She was always ready to listen and lend a helping hand. She could laugh or cry with you, whatever the situation called for. Over the years she enjoyed many hobbies like various arts and crafts, sewing, quilting, crocheting, putting together 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles and traveling. The thing she enjoyed most was spending time with family. At any family event that involved cake, she was known to take the corner piece with the most icing. She was definitely a sweetheart with a sweet tooth. Helen is preceded in death by her parents, John Edward (Mac) and Dorothy Mae McKinnell, her brother, Johnny McKinnell and a close cousin, Shirley Robertson. She is survived by her husband, Robert Tanner; her daughter, Tammy Gagnon (Rick Gagnon); her siblings, Sybil Skinner (Lamar Skinner) and William McKinnell (Belinda McKinnell); her sisters-in law, Paula McKinnell and Barbara Ann Tanner; her brothers-in-law, Earl Tanner and Leon Tanner; and her grandson, Michael Gagnon. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. All friends and family are invited to celebrate the life of this amazing lady. She would want us to remember her fondly, telling stories and laughing about old times. She would also want us to take comfort that she is at peace with the Lord. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at Serenity Funeral Home on 8691 Old Pascagoula Rd, Theodore, AL 36582. Visitation will be from 11:00a.m. -12:00p.m. Funeral service begins at 12:00 p.m. followed by interment at Serenity Memorial Gardens 8951 Old Pascagoula Rd., Theodore, AL 36582. Pall Bearers will be Rick Gagnon, Michael Gagnon, Scott Patrick, Lance Patrick, Phillip Mckinnell and Brian McKinnell.

Tributes

Helen McKinnell Tanner

February 3, 1950 - March 25, 2025