Tennie Y. Fannin
WINTER PARK, FL — Tennie Yvonne Fannin, 89, of Winter Park, Florida, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026, surrounded by her family and caregivers. Tennie was born on March 24, 1937, in Paraloma, Arkansas, the daughter of Dave and Sarah Roberson. She is survived by son, Gregory Fannin, and daughter-in-law, Michele Fannin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and daughter, Linda.
Tennie was a beloved resident at the Hibiscus Oaks assisted living facility in Winter Park.
After graduating from Hot Springs High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Tennie served in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1957, as an Airman Second Class at Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh, New York. She met and married Donald Fannin at Stewart Air Force Base in July of 1957.
The couple lived in married student housing at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia while Donald pursued a degree in journalism. Tennie dedicated her early married years to homemaking and to raising their children, Gregory and Linda. Frequently hosting neighborhood children at play, she made the Fannin home welcoming to all.
Seeking a warmer climate and an ideal place to raise children, Tennie and Donald moved to Orlando, Florida in 1970. Once their children reached their teenage years, Tennie joined Donald in running the Earl of Sandwich restaurant in downtown Orlando. This proved to be an adventure for the entire family.
The restaurant grind made balancing work and family difficult at an important time in the lives of Tennie's children. After selling the restaurant, she went to work at SunBank of Pine Hills in the loan department. Following the family's brief return in the early 1980s to West Virginia for eldercare obligations, Tennie joined Palmer Electric Company in Winter Park, Florida, where she served in accounting until her retirement in 2000.
Tennie was deeply devoted to her husband Donald for her entire life, even after he passed away in 2024. They were an inspirational couple to all who knew them for over 66 years. Tennie made it a point to be a good friend to their neighbors in Ocoee, Florida where she and Donald lived for over 40 years.
Pursuant to Tennie's wishes, a private ceremony with immediate family will be held.
