Celebrating the Life of

Camilla Scott Tanner

January 22, 1941 - March 17, 2019

Memorial ServiceThursday, May 2, 2019

10 AM

Akarama Foundation Community Service Center6220 S. Ingleside

Chicago, IL

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ORDER OF SERVICE

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Rev. Dr. Lee Butler

Rev. Catherine Beaty

Irene W. L. Bland

Catherine Nichols

Erik Thomas

Rev. Dr. Delores Johnson

Rev. Dr. Lee Butler

The Links, Incorporated (Chicago Chapter)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (Theta Omega Chapter)

Welcome

Poem

Scripture Reading

Personal Remembrances

Eulogy

Memorial Ceremony

Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony

Officiant: Rev. Dr. Lee Butler

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HER JOURNEY’S JUST BEGUN

Don’t think of her as gone awayher journey’s just begun.Life holds so many facets

this earth is only one.

Just think of her as restingfrom the sorrows and the tears

In a place of warmth and comfortWhere there are no days and years.

Think how she must be wishingThat we could know today

How nothing but our sadnesscan really pass away.

And think of her as livingIn the hearts of those she touched...

For nothing loved is ever lostAnd she was loved so much.

Ellen Brenneman

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CAM THROUGH THE YEARS

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OBITUARY

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After a lengthy and valiant battle with sarcoidosis, Rev. Dr. Camilla Scott Tanner passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019. She was 78 years old.

“Cam,” as she was affectionately known, was born January 22, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the ninth of twelve children born to parents William Mahone Harrison Scott and Ruby Anderson Scott.

Cam was educated in the School District of Philadelphia, where she attended Joseph W. Catharine Elementary School, John M. Patterson Elementary School, Tilden Middle School and John Bartram High School.

Following her high school graduation, Cam began her college education at West Chester State College in Pennsylvania. She then transferred to Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. While at Virginia Union, Cam was active in many

university organizations, including the Student National Education Association and University Choir. Most notably, she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, becoming a member of the Alpha Eta chapter in 1962.

After college, Cam remained on the East Coast, moving to Stamford, Connecticut. During this time, Cam added service to her country to her growing list of priorities, joining the Naval Reserve as a designated classifier (Petty Officer First Class).

Cam relocated to Chicago in 1965 and soon began to put down roots in the city that would become her forever home. Professionally, Cam received her credentials to begin her career as an educator. She joined the Chicago Public School System in 1967 and taught at Caldwell Elementary and Murray Elementary schools.

Shortly after moving to Chicago, Cam met her beloved, Dr. Mack C. Tanner, and the two were married on December 14, 1968. The family welcomed daughter Kelly Anne shortly thereafter. Cam and Mack had an indelible bond and built a vibrant life together. They shared a loving and happy marriage for 27 years, ending when Mack lost his battle with cancer in 1995.

Cam continued her education, earning a master’s degree in psychology from Roosevelt University in 1973. She then joined the University of Illinois at Chicago as a counselor in the Student Counseling Service and taught in the Graduate School of Education Guidance and Counseling Program.

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Everyone who knew Cam knew her to be a fun, generous and social spirit. She was an exceptionally gracious hostess — no one was a stranger for long. Those very lucky also know she was passionate about cooking and a legendary baker. If you had a chance to enjoy one of her cakes, you experienced something quite special.

Cam was actively engaged in many organizations spanning the multiple interests in her life. Among her social and service affiliations were The Links, Incorporated (Chicago Chapter), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (Theta Omega Chapter), The Sophisticates, Incorporated (Chicago Chapter) and the Chicago Dentist’s Wives Club.

In the educational realm, Cam was an active member of the Virginia Union Alumni Association, where she had previously served as a national vice president, and the Roosevelt University Alumni Organization. Professionally, she was a member of Alpha Gamma Pi Sorority (business and professional women) and Women Empowered.

Volunteer service was a key component of Cam’s life. A favorite motto she often quoted: To whom much is given, much is expected.

HIV/AIDS education was a significant priority for Cam. She began a fruitful volunteer working relationship with the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, where she was an HIV/AIDS instructor trainer and cadre, member of the Board of Directors (1995-2001), and host of the “HIV/AIDS Call-In Live” ARC Cable TV show.

Cam also served on the Bishop’s AIDS Task Force for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. In her role as the chair of the HIV/AIDS Education Committee, she led a team that

was responsible for implementing AIDS education in 144 churches.

Since childhood, Cam always had a strong spiritual foundation. She was a member of St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church of Chicago for many years, serving the church in multiple capacities. In the late 1990s, Cam was called to religious study, enrolling in Chicago Theological Seminary and graduating with her MDiv degree in 2000.

After being called to the ministry, Cam worked as a hospice chaplain for the Horizon Hospice and Heartland Hospice organizations. She found this work truly rewarding and a perfect marriage of her counseling background, natural empathy and spiritual grounding.

Pastoral care and counseling was where Cam spent most of the later years of her life. She co-founded the Temple of Agape inter-denominational ministry with Versia Starr McKinney and regularly served as a guest preacher at several church communities in Chicago, New York and Pennsylvania.

Cam was recognized with multiple honors throughout her life, including Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Universal Life Church and School, “Unsung Heroine” by the Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues, and Volunteer of the Year for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago.

Cam was preceded in death by her husband, Mack, and siblings William, Ruby, Reginald, Rudolph, Della, Teresa, Rosalind and Van.

She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Tanner Jones (Kevin), and sisters Marion Bell (Howard), Carlyn Miller and Gale Thomas (William).

She was a cherished sister, aunt, cousin, “bonus mom” and dear friend to many.

AcknowledgmentsA heartfelt thank you from

Cam’s family for sharing your memories, support and generous expressions of sympathy.

Your kindness is deeply appreciated and will always be remembered.

Arrangements entrusted to:Unity Funeral Parlors Inc.

4114 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60653

773.624.2703Norman J. Williams — President — Funeral Director

Brenda L. Thacker — Funeral Director

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