Christina Tanner

Christina Marie Tanner, known to all who loved her simply as Momma Christy, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026, at the age of 54. She leaves behind a world made brighter by her presence and a family whose hearts she filled completely.

Born to Phyllis Christina Shanklin and Wade Roberts Shanklin — both of whom preceded her in death — Christy grew up moving a lot as a child but ended up coming to school at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington to study Marine Biology and made it her home. She meet her husband Brett Tanner at the age of 20 and they celebrated their 30th year of marriage this year. Christy was a devoted mother of Cole Tanner and Gage Tanner, whom she loved with all her heart. Christy was also a devoted mother to her English Bulldogs Stella(Squishy) & Baloo.

Christy was made to be a mom and a care giver. She was at every school event starting in preschool at Scotts Hill Baptist Church to working in the library at Odgen Elementary. One of her best times was when she was Stan the Stingray at Ogden Elementary and all the kids were excited, they were also most as tall as Stan the Stinray (Christy was 4’9 ½”). Momma Christy was at every baseball game, every football game, every basketball game every lacrosse match — rain or shine, usually with snacks in hand for all the kids. She wasn't just a team mom in title; she was the team mom in every sense of the word, loading up her car with kids, driving to practice, organizing snacks, and making sure no child felt unseen or unsupported.

Her home was never just a house — it was a gathering place. The kids in the neighborhood knew that Momma Christy's door was always open and that there was always something good on the stove. She was a wonderful cook who fed everyone who came through, asking nothing in return but the company. She believed that a full belly and a warm welcome could fix almost anything.

Christy had a gift for finding joy in simple things. She could spend hours with her coloring books, losing herself in color and quiet. She loved her cartoons — SpongeBob SquarePants held a special place in her heart — and she never apologized for it.

Most of all, Momma Christy loved to be loved. She asked for hugs from everyone she met, and she gave them back with everything she had. She loved Brett, her boys and her dogs with her whole heart — fiercely, openly, and without reservation. That love was her legacy, and it lives on in everyone she touched.

She is survived by her husband, Brett Tanner; her sons, Cole Tanner and Gage Tanner; and the countless friends, neighbors, and children whose lives she quietly and profoundly loved.

A funeral service will be held at 11am, Friday, July 10, at Scotts Hill Baptist Church.

The family will receive visitors one hour prior, beginning at 10am.

Entombment will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens.

Momma Christy, you were the heart of every room you walked into. Rest easy, know you are loved. We will carry your hugs with us always. In leu of flowers, please make a donation to paws4people.org in her name