Joseph "Joe Bud" Tankersley

September 11, 2017

Dryden, Virginia Joseph R. “Joe Bud” Tankersley, 77, went to be with the Lord on Patriot’s Day, September 11, 2017. He was a beloved husband, dad, and papaw. He was proud to be an American. He served his country in the United States Army from 1958 to 1967. During that time, he served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam (1965-1967). After his time in the army, Joseph served as a member of the National Guard. He had a total of 22 ½ years combined service in the United States military when he retired. After active duty, he was a lifelong coal miner and a farmer. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church and Dryden Volunteer Fire Department. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence E. and Lorene Tankersley; sisters, Barbara Broussard and Trena Miller. Joseph is survived by his wife of 49 years, Norma J. Tankersley; son, Lawrence Tankersley and wife Cheryl; daughters, Dottie Blanken and husband Tim, Stephanie Leedy and husband Aleck, Amanda Fig and husband Mike; brother, Foster “Ram” Tankersley and wife Cindie; grandchildren, Lauren and Lydia Tankersley, Jaden Barnette, Verena and William Leedy; as well as a host of other family member and life-long friends. The Tankersley family will receive friends from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at the Roy A. Green Funeral Home, Appalachia, VA. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. with Rev. Tom Ely officiating. Procession will follow to Powell Valley Cemetery, Dryden, VA for the committal service. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Joseph’s caregivers- Teresa Spivey, Virginia Lawson, Brenda Craft, Claretta Taylor, Homehealth staff, and his hospice nurses.