Mary Alice Tanner Garnto

Mary Alice Garnto, age 97, of Sandersville entered the gates of Heaven and into the arms of her Jesus on December 14, 2024.  Her funeral service will be held on Monday, December 16th at 2:00 p.m. at Sisters Baptist Church in Sandersville with burial in the Church Cemetery.  Dr. Tom Akins and Rev. Harry Hadden will officiate.  Pallbearers will be Jonathan Bussell, Brock Tyson, Brayden Tyson, Gabe Mack, Glenn Alexander, Mark Sprosty, Corey May and Casey May.  Her family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home.

Mary Alice lived in Sandersville all of her life.  She was the daughter of the late Harris Duggan Tanner and the late Mary Sumner Tanner.  She was preceded in death by the love of her life and dance partner Leo Garnto and her sister Ellen Alexander.

Mary Alice started her working career at Thomas Motor Company and worked there 18 years before leaving to be a stay-at-home mom.  During that time, she was always available to entertain and help her friends and family.  It was not uncommon to see her with a carload of children taking them to different sports events or delivering her cakes that she was known for.

She was a lifetime member of Sisters Baptist Church where she served on various committees, was church hostess, sang in the choir, helped with Bible school and taught children's Sunday school.  She believed everyone should go to Sunday School and she had pins that were given to her by the Southern Baptist Convention indicating 25 years without missing.

Mary Alice loved people.  During her years at Heritage Inn she was the social butterfly, fluttering around in her wheelchair and making friends with everyone.  Her nickname was "smiley" and fit her well.  She cherished her family members especially her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughters, Mary Ellen Bussell and her husband Bennie of Sandersville and Linda Boyd and her husband Randy of Tennille; her daughter-in-law Angela Garnto of Sandersville; grandchildren, Jonathan Bussell (Andrea), Allison Tyson (Brock), Brandy, Lorelei and Scarlett Rivers and Josh Garnto; step grandchildren, Charlton, Allen and Stephanie Boyd; great grandchildren, Kelsey Chapman, Gabe Mack, Shayla Mack, Grayson Feutral, Reagan Reynolds, Brayden and Rylee Tyson and Julia and Ella Bussell; step great grandchildren, Jacob Boyd and Jada Bruins; great great grandchildren, Jozie and Jasper Hooks; sister, Eugenia May and sisters-in-law Lillian McCoy and Barbara Garnto.

Donations may be made to Heritage Inn Resident Activities Fund 652 Ferncrest Dr. or to Sisters Baptist Church 1807 E. McCarty St. both in Sandersville, GA. 31082.

The family will be at the residence of Bennie and Mary Ellen Bussell 4093 GA. Hwy. 68 N. Sandersville.

Please leave an online condolence at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.