Eartha "Mama" Tankes

Obituary For Eartha "Mama" Tankes

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:

SERVICE: Saturday, May 08, 2021 11:00 a.m. St. Phillip Benzi Catholic Church 710 South Main Street Belle Glade, Florida 33430

INTERMENT: Saturday, May 08, 2021 Foreverglades Mausoleum Cemetery, 1500 Gator Blvd, Belle Glade, FL 33430

A Glimpse of Eartha Lee Tankes Life (Mama)

I was born the only child to the late James Williams and Cora Lee Roberts on April 22, 1935 in Belle Glade, Florida. I went home to be with the Lord on May 2, 2021, with my family by my side at Lakeside Medical Center.

I attended public school in Palm Beach County, receiving my High School diploma from Everglades Vocational High School in 1954. I was intrigued by Mathematics, English and Science. Later years I enrolled in Palm Beach Jr. College where I earned an Associate Degree in Nursing.

The virtuous woman “prays without ceasing.” (1Thessalians 5:17). She follows Jesus’ lead and retreats to a “desolate place…to pray” (Mark 1:35).

Over the course of my professional career, I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I later advanced as a Surgical Technician and later enrolled at Palm Beach Jr. College where I earned my Associate Degree in Respiratory Care to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist. I was employed at Glades General Hospital for 45 years

I accepted Christ into my life at an early age. I joined New Bethel Missionary Baptist church in Belle Glade. Later in life, I evolved in St. Phillip Benzi Catholic Church under the leadership of Father Mack. There was never a time my home wasn’t open to those needing love or just an ear to listen.

Preceding me in death are my husband, Jessie Lee Tankes; and a daughter, Priscilla Mae Tankes and a devoted son-in-law Wintali Lee Coleman,Sr. and son-in-law Ben Fields, Jr.

Many loved ones are left to cherish precious memories of me: Three devoted daughters: Terry Coleman of Boynton Beach, Florida; Gloria Tankes of Belle Glade, Florida; and Vanessa Williams (Beamon) of Belle Glade, Florida. A grandson I raised as my son: Jermaine King of West Palm Beach, Florida, and two devoted grand daughters: Nina Rhodes of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Adella Walker (Scotty) of Louisville, Kentucky. 5 additional grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren, a Goddaughter Dorma Jean Brown Mullins (Lamar) of Belle Glade, Florida and a host of other loving relative and friends.