Katherine L Tankersley
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KATHERINE LEE TANKERSLEY
Katherine L. Tankersley (Katie) passed away May 21, 2022, at HCA Florida West Hospital, Pensacola, Florida, after a lengthy and valiant battle with rheumatoid arthritis and related issues. Katie was born September 9, 1939, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She is survived by her husband of sixty-one years, William B. Tankersley Sr. (Bill), her sons Wes (Amy) and Whit (Annemarie), daughter Julie (Bill Blose), grandson Jacob (Anna), granddaughter Natalie (Alan Miramontes Flores), sister Gay (Nolen Brunson) and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Rev. Robert S. Lee and Ada Whitmore Lee, sister Martha L. Barr and brother Robert S. Lee, Jr.
Katie earned a bachelor's degree in education from Wesleyan College, Macon GA in 1961 and began a very successful teaching career that included teaching in Metropolitan Nashville--Davidson County Schools in Tennessee, Peabody Demonstration School at Peabody College, Nashville Tennessee, Wakulla County School System, Wakulla County, Florida and the Eckerd Family Youth Alternative Camp E-Ma-Chamee Residential Treatment Center, Milton FL. Among other teaching awards, in 2001, she was recognized by Governor Jeb Bush and his Cabinet as Florida's Region I Juvenile Justice Education Teacher of the Year. Katie loved children and had a gift for understanding their special needs.
Katie was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and as a "preacher's kid" participated in several United Methodist Churches throughout the Middle Tennessee area. As an adult, she was very active in the Pairs and Spares Sunday School class, the Women's Society of Christian Service, Vacation Bible School as well as many other church activities, particularly at Woodbine United Methodist Church, Nashville Tennessee.
After retirement, Katie became active for several years as a Master Gardener learning and teaching about plants and insects. She did many presentations in local schools and for other groups about "good bugs" and "bad bugs". She became known by many as "the bug lady" and was often seen driving to a venue along with Priscilla, the five-foot-tall Papier-mach? praying mantis she constructed riding along beside her in the passenger seat. Katie was also active at the Panhandle Butterfly House and among other activities, designed the "to scale" butterfly models displayed on the original house in Navarre.
Katie is remembered by her family as a compassionate, optimistic, happy, "can do" individual who is sadly missed. Because of her love for her "rescue pets", Stump and Sally, the family suggests that memorials be made to Santa Rosa Animal Services (santarosa.fl.gov/387/Animal-Services) or an animal care facility with a similar positive mission.
A private, family memorial is planned to celebrate her life.
Memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared atwww.ncbsmilton.comfor the TANKERSLEY family