Woodrow Wilson Fanning

Woodrow Wilson Fanning, 93, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Monday, January 3, 2011 following a brief illness. Born in Fayetteville, TN to the late William and Ellie Jeffries Fanning, he was the youngest of 14 children. After graduating high school, he received a BS degree from MTSU in 1940 and began a teaching career in Trion, GA where he became principal of Trion High School. He also received his masters degree in teaching at Peabody College for Teachers. He enlisted in the Air Force during World War II and served in Europe as a pilot in a P47 Fighter Group from 1942-1946, earning a bronze star. After the war, he attended Northwestern University from in Chicago, IL and was awarded a Masters Degree in Hospital Administration. Mr. Fanning went on to become a CEO of Bristol Memorial Hospital in Bristol, VA-TN from 1958-1983. While in Bristol he was a member of the Bristol Rotary Club and held the office of president in 1969. He also was a member of the Tennessee Hospital Association, serving as a board member from 1972-1979, holding office as president in 1974. He also served as president of the Upper East Tennessee Hospital Council. After retirement, he moved to Cleveland, TN where he resided with his wife until his death. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Irene Reynolds Fanning; three children, Sarah Fanning of Sedona, AZ, Dr. David Fanning of Memphis, TN and Dianne Jeffries of Kingsport, TN; three grandchildren, Alaina Fanning, Alex Willey and Aaron Willey; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2011 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with the Reverend Bryant Brown officiating. Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with military honors. Paul Fanning, Rex Vaughn, Bill Ventress, Tom Gray, Alex Willey and Aaron Willey will serve as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. His family will receive friends on Saturday from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. The family requests that memorials be made to Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-7350. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Fanning family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.