Awilda Smith Tanksley

A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 2:00pm in the Chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Fuller officiating. Burial will be private in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 1:00pm until the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pine Pointe Hospice, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, or a veteran’s organization of choice.

Awilda was born in Leesburg, Georgia to the late Edward and Mattie Beck Smith and was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Tanksley. She retired with over 30 years of service from the Bibb County Tax Commissioner’s Office. Awilda was a member of Mabel White Baptist Church and later Porterfield Baptist Church. She was the Past Worthy Matron of the Macon Eastern Star and a member of the Daughters of the Nile. Awilda was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Survivors include her children, Karen Shepherd Harper (Joe), W.F. Shepherd, Jr. “Scotty” (Pam), Robert P. Shepherd Sr. “Bobby” (Denise) and Wayne Shepherd (Paula); grandchildren, Ranae Mitchell (Donnie), Shannon Jones (Allen), Tripp Shepherd (Crissy), BJ Shepherd, Heather Furness (Jason) and Haley Powers; numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; and brothers, Al Smith (Gail) and Cecil Smith (Eileen).

Visit www.maconmp.com to express condolences.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery have charge of arrangements.