Reita Ruby Tanner

Reita Ruby Rhodes (“Poochie”) Tanner, 82, of Beaumont, Texas, passed away on October 6, 2020. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont, Texas.

Poochie was born December 11, 1937, in Birmingham, Alabama. She grew up in Alabama, Hawaii and Texas, and graduated from Beaumont High School in 1956. She started her undergraduate studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, before completing her Bachelor’s degree at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. A long-time resident of Beaumont, Poochie was a member of the faculty at French High School, where she taught typing and led the school’s DECA program to prepare young leaders and entrepreneurs to be college and career ready. She retired from the Beaumont Independent School District in 1989.

Poochie was preceded in death by her husband, Walt Tanner, her sisters, Carol Kay and Barbara Maness, and her parents E.H. and Reita Rhodes.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Jeanne and Michael Brewer, of Beaumont, Texas, her daughter and son-in-law Barbara and Richard Musgrove, of Walnut Creek, California, and her four grandchildren, Amanda Spell, Dusti Spell, Maile Musgrove, and Koa Musgrove. She is also survived by her five great grandchildren, one niece, three nephews, and many great nieces and great nephews.

Poochie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and great aunt. She traveled the world with her high school singing group the Melody Maids, representing well her family, school, and country. She will be remembered by all for her quiet grace, her sweet disposition, and her boundless generosity. Hers was a life well-lived.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Poochie’s honor to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindletop Avenue, Beaumont, TX 77705.