Donnie Tankersley

Mrs. Donnie S. Tankersley of River Falls, age 90, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 19, 2025 while surrounded by loved ones. Born in Royston, Georgia in 1935 to Jessie H. Smith and Mary Randall Smith, Donnie moved to Greenville at a young age and lived here the remainder of her life. She graduated from Parker High School in 1953 and married her husband, James B. Tankersley, the following year. They were married 52 years until his death in 2006. Donnie was a headstrong Appalachian woman whose seemingly only fear was snakes. She spent much of her time outside in the country, cooking delicious meals for family, attending church, traveling to nearby places, but mostly being a devoted wife. Despite her petite size, she became the primary caregiver of her 6’3 husband after his Parkinson’s diagnosis. At work, Mrs. Tankersley was a dedicated public servant to Greenville County, and spent nearly 40 years in service to our county. She began her career in the Sheriff’s office under Sheriff Bob Martin. She was then repeatedly elected as Greenville County’s Register of Mesne Conveyance from 1973 until her retirement in 1997. Although she had an impressive and remarkable career as an elected official, she rarely spoke of her accomplishments because her greatest pride was her family, which she spoke about at every opportunity, always boasting of their achievements. She is survived by her son Dr. James B. Tankersley, Jr. (Kathy) and daughter Ryan T. Chassereau, eight grandchildren: Dr. Ashely Tankersley-Thomas (Charlie), Jeanmarie T. Ethridge (Trip), Meghan E. Tankersley, Dr. James B. Tankersley, III (Elizabeth), Michael Chassereau (Crystal), Ellen Chassereau, Jacob Chassereau and Sarah Dobson (Andrew), and six great-grandchildren: Charles Worth Thomas, Jr., Cannon Woodruff Thomas, Ella James Thomas, Caroline Campbell Ethridge, Olivia Grace Chassereau, Lyla Dobson. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Tankersley is predeceased by all four of her brothers: Mitchell, T. Aulton, Kyle, Hyziser, and Barry Smith. The family extends their great appreciation to the staff and nurses at the Cascades for their care of Donnie in recent years. Funeral services will be held at Howze Funeral Home in Travelers Rest on Friday July 25, 2025. Visitation will be from 1 pm to 2 pm, followed by funeral services at 2 pm. A private interment will be held at Gap Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org or the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.

Donnie Tankersley

March 29, 1935 - July 19, 2025