Mary Catherine Icenhour Tanksley

Mary Catherine Icenhour Tanksley, also known to many as "Little Mama", Daleville, Alabama, departed this life on June 10, 2019, at her home in Daleville, Alabama. She was 87. The family will receive friends at the Sunset Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 from 4pm -6pm. Burial will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery next to her late husband Les Tanksley. Mary was born in Rochester, PA on January 28, 1932 to William and Mary (McCoy) Icenhour. She received her early education in Beaver County, PA. Shortly after graduation, Mary worked at Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, PA as a Nurse's Aide and then joined the Women's Army Corp. (WAC) and was stationed in Fort Sam Houston, TX as a Medical Technician, where she met her loving husband, Lesley Earl Tanksley. They were married in Seguin, TX on December 9, 1950. Mary became a loving wife and mother. She devoted almost 21 years of her life following her husband's Army career, raising their four children, and working for the Department of Defense as a Civil Servant. After Mary's retirement from Civil Service from Fort Riley, KS, she enjoyed painting, crafting and being active in her church. She was a member of the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, where she served in multiple official roles. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Les; her daughter, Jackie Lynn Tanksley Spencer; her son, David Earl Tanksley; her infant daughter, Catherine Annette Tanksley; her parents; and siblings: William Emerson Icenhour, Ross Henry Icenhour, Carl Atwood Icenhour, Virginia Helen Kronk, and Margaret Ann Dobbins. Mary leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Mary Joann Martin, Deborah June Ennis; her honorary daughter, Ruth Ann Phelps; seven grandchildren: Jon Stuart (Terri) St. Onge, Pamela Michelle (Tom) White, Leslie Jo (David) Johnson, Brandy Jean (Mark) Bebee, Morgan Jolynn (Eric) Dimi, Travis Neal Tanksley, and Lillie Nichole Tanksley; multiple great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to say a special thank you to Brandon and Amy and the entire staff with Kindred Hospice, Enterprise, AL and Joanie Owens, her caregiver for the last 11 months. Mary Catherine Icenhour Tanksley, also known to many as "Little Mama", Daleville, Alabama, departed this life on June 10, 2019, at her home in Daleville, Alabama. She was 87. The family will receive friends at the Sunset Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 from 4pm -6pm. Burial will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery next to her late husband Les Tanksley.