Joseph Michael Tanory

Joe was born in 1939 to Edward Joseph Tanory and Mary Azar Tanory in Birmingham, AL. He was raised in Homewood, AL with his three sisters. Joe attended John Carroll Catholic High School, Auburn University and Samford University. He loved telling stories about his time at Auburn and enjoyed taking his family to visit the campus and other memorable places in Auburn and Birmingham. A few years after graduation, Joe moved to Atlanta, GA where he became a Real Estate Broker and established Tanory Realty and Associates, Inc. In addition to his career in real estate, Joe worked as a Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Atlanta for 29 years.

Joe met his wife of 45 years, Almas Zakhia Tanory, in 1975 while on vacation in Beirut, Lebanon. The couple instantly knew it was meant to be and were married within a week of meeting one another. Following their honeymoon abroad, the newlyweds returned to the states and resided in Atlanta, GA where they raised their three children.

Joe was a loving, kind-hearted husband, father, grandfather (fondly known as “Jidi” by his grandchildren) and friend. He was a devoted Maronite Catholic who often attended daily mass and Eucharistic adoration. Joe strived to live out his faith on a daily basis through his actions and words. In addition to spending time with his family, Joe enjoyed the everyday pleasures of life. He made it a point to savor simple, leisurely activities like riding his bike, playing tennis, listening to Jerry Lee Lewis and classic country, reading about history and various cultures, and collecting historical items. He enjoyed celebrating his Lebanese heritage with family, friends, and delicious Lebanese food. He will be remembered by those who love him as a gentle soul who always had a smile on his face and an encouraging word for others.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Dolores (Tanory) Willis and Adele (Tanory) Maloof. He is survived by his wife Almas Z. Tanory, sons Edward Joseph Tanory and Sharbel Joseph Tanory, daughter Mary Tanory Lengel, granddaughters Alanna Tanory, Chloe Lengel and Margot Lengel, his sister Christine (Tanory) Trimm of Black Mountain, NC, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held on January 4th, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Maronite Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA. The burial service will take place at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, GA. Due to covid-19, the funeral and burial will be private family events. If you wish to honor Joe, please consider doing a small act of kindness for someone and emailing a description of your act to [email protected]. His family wishes to create a keepsake of these acts to honor his memory and kind spirit.