Barbara "Anne" Green Obituary (1933 - 2021)

Barbara Anne Green of Dahlonega passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at her home surrounded by her children and family. Born in Atlanta at Fort McPherson on June 22, 1933, Anne grew up on a small farm located on Conley Road in Forest Park, Georgia as the only daughter of Sgt. Maj. Luther L. Tanner and Edith Watkins Tanner. She had two older brothers, Lee and Jim, and three younger brothers, Philip, Steve, and Frank Tanner all of Forest Park. Anne is a graduate of Fulton High School where she excelled in academics and music and played on the girls' basketball team. On August 12, 1951 Anne married her lifelong sweetheart, Robert D. Green, also of Forest Park. She was a devoted wife and constant support to Robert as he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia in 1955; and later his Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degree (1959) and his Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree (1970) from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) in Louisville, Kentucky. He would go on to receive his Doctorate in Ministry (DMin) degree from SBTS in 1980. Between the years of 1953 and 1957 Anne and Robert welcomed four children into the family: David (1953), Carol (1955), Edward "Eddie" (1956), and Mark (1957). The family lived for a time in Lancaster, Indiana before returning to Georgia where Robert served as Pastor of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on Old National Highway in College Park. He served as Pastor of that congregation from 1960 to 1969. The family moved to Dahlonega in February of 1969 where her husband was called to serve as pastor of Dahlonega Baptist Church. He would serve there until his retirement 23 years later in 1992. While living in Dahlonega, Mrs. Green obtained her degree in Early Childhood Education from North Georgia College, graduating with honors in 1972. She was hired as a public-school kindergarten teacher in the fall of 1972 for the Lumpkin County School System. She would serve in this capacity for 23 years until her retirement in 1995. A dedicated Follower of Christ, Anne was a faithful witness of God's love to all. She was a longtime member of Dahlonega Baptist Church where she sang in the Sanctuary Choir for over 50 years; taught Vacation Bible School for many years; taught the Rainbow Sunday School Class for special needs adults; ministered regularly to homebound senior adults; led an in-home, small group Bible study for women; went on numerous mission trips including to South Korea, Michigan, and Southern Mississippi after a hurricane; volunteered her time to the Sonshine Weekday Preschool; and served on the Church Benevolence Committee. An active community advocate, Mrs. Green was a generous supporter of and tireless worker for many non-profit charities including the American Heart Association, Alzheimer's Association, MorningStar Children & Family Services, Meals on Wheels, Community Helping Place (CHP) Free Clinic where she organized the first ever Tomato Sandwich Supper Fund Raising Event now held each July. Anne's hobbies and interests include gardening, yardwork, cooking, hospitality, history, reading, flower arranging, music, and travel. She particularly enjoyed numerus family vacations to Switzerland, the Holy Land, and frequent trips along the Blueridge Parkway. Mrs. Green is survived by son, David Green of Dahlonega; daughter, Carol Seitz and husband, Larry of Dahlonega; son, Dr. Edward Green and wife, Denise of Dahlonega; son, Rev. R. Mark Green and wife, Cindy of Avondale Estates, GA; brother, Philip Tanner and wife, Fran of Mt. Juliet, TN; Steve Tanner and wife, Gail of Roswell, GA; Frank Tanner and wife, Anna Merle of Rex, GA; grandchildren, Jason Seitz and wife, Jennifer of Dahlonega; Tracy McKinney and husband, Austin of Dahlonega; Gretchen Gentry and husband, Craig of Dahlonega; Stephanie Clifford and husband, Nate of Dahlonega; Rob Green of Dahlonega; Andy Green and wife, Ju Yun of Cumming, GA; Jon Green currently serving with Global Missions International in Ecuador; T. Brian Green and wife, Courtney O'Donnell of Atlanta, GA; and Nathan Green and wife, Kristi, of Forsyth, GA; plus eleven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Anne was preceded in death by her husband, the aforementioned Dr. Robert D. (Bob) Green of Dahlonega; father, Sergeant Major Luther L. Tanner of Forest Park, GA; mother, Edith Watkins Tanner of Forest Park, GA and Dahlonega, GA; brother, Lee Tanner of Smyrna, GA; and brother, Jim Tanner of Lithonia, GA. Mrs. Green was dearly loved in the Dahlonega community, her church, and especially among her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren truly "rise up and call her blessed" for she dedicated herself sacrificially to their upbringing, education, and welfare. She is now safe in the arms of her Lord and Savior, reunited with her loved ones who have gone on before her, and at peace throughout all eternity. Visitation is at The Dahlonega Funeral Home on Thursday, March 11 (5PM to 8PM) and the private, family-only Funeral Service is Saturday, March 13 at 11AM at Dahlonega Baptist Church. Mrs. Green will be interred at Memorial Park Cemetery in Dahlonega.