Samuel C. Tannahill

Graveside services for Samuel Cary “Sam” Tannahill will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Tahlequah City Cemetery with Pastor Jason Baustian, of Sac City, IA, officiating. Online condolences for his family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

Samuel Cary Tannahill, or Sam to his family and friends, was born on May 5, 1939 in Arkansas City, KS, the son of Cyrus “Adin” and Rachel Louetta (McCreight) Tannahill. He grew up in a loving home with two brothers, Howard and Floyd, and his sister, Margaret Ann. After graduating from high school, he attended college classes. He would meet the love of his life, Ethel “Janet” Noell, and they were married on June 23, 1961, in Overland, MO. Together they shared 59 years of happiness, adventures, a few mishaps along life’s way, but always together. Sam and Janet were the parents of three children, Lois, Darrell, and Leonard. He was so proud of all the accomplishments of his children and grandsons. He earned his living in warehouse shipping and modifying hydraulic fittings. He loved people and it showed, from the friendly smile he shared with everyone to his ability to talk to anyone. A helper by nature, there was no one he wouldn’t assist with yard work, mowing the lawn, tilling the garden, repairing furniture, fixing lawn mowers, or refinishing park benches. Sam was there to serve. He once went so far as to dig out an entire basement floor and lowered the floor so his son could have a really nice room of his own. He possessed the “Tannahill gift of gab,” and he knew no strangers. He thoroughly enjoyed greeting those who attended Woodson Avenue Bible Church in Overland Park, KS. Later, he fellowshipped with friends at Lenexa Baptist Church in Lenexa, KS. People were what made Sam happy. His close relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, gave him the wonderful gift of loving all people. Even as his body aged, his spirit did not. His motorized chair became a chariot to whisk the grandsons around the yard, which they enjoyed. In 2013, Sam and Janet moved to Tahlequah to live at Go Ye Village. Sam treasured his family, wife, children and grandsons. That was all he needed to make life complete. After years of faithful service, Sam received his call to his eternal home on November 30, 2020 in Vinita, OK, at 81 years of age. He leaves a legacy of loving life to its fullest for all of his family to follow.

He has gone on to join his paternal grandparents, George Washington and Minnie Florence (Martin) Tannahill, his maternal grandparents, Carey Steele and Eva Lena (Knox) McCreight. He also joins his mother, father, his brother, Howard Tannahill, and two sisters-in-law, Howard’s wife, Corinne Tannahill and Floyd’s wife, Betty Tannahill, as well as his stepmother, Avis Tannahill.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Janet Tannahill of the home in Tahlequah, and his children, Lois Tannahill of Overland Park, KS, Darrell Tannahill and wife Barbara of Belton, MO, and Leonard Tannahill and wife Anita of Nampa, ID. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Ann Rensberger and husband Dean of Mentor, KS, and one brother, Floyd Tannahill of Olathe, KS. He will live on in his two grandsons, Ethan Tannahill and Evan Tannahill both of Belton, MO. He also leaves his stepbrother, Paul Van Egdom of Cary, NC, brother-in-law, Nelson Noell and wife Donna of Tahlequah, OK, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Those wishing to offer their condolences are asked to consider a donation to Cedine Bible Mission, 333 Cedine Camp Road, Spring City, TN, 37381-6132.