Mary Tanner Cannon

The River of Life Mary Tanner Cannon

My Mother, Mary Erma (Collier) Tanner, had a little sister named Kathryn Collier. In 1927 when my Mother was four years old and Kathryn was two, Kathryn was tragically killed by a farm implement. Although, I never saw a picture of Kathryn or heard any details of her short life, God put it on my heart to write a story about her and give her the life she never lived. My book is fiction, however, some of the events are my own experiences.
I named the book, "The River," even though I have neither lived near a river nor was familiar with one. After speaking with Kathryn's only living sibling, Ronnie Collier who is now 79 and a Pastor of the Gospel, told me he felt the "River" was the 'River of Life.' I now agree with him as this book was completely inspired by God through the Holy Spirit.
My book starts at the end of her life. Kathryn returns home from her husband's funeral, gets in the car and drives to her parent's home where she grew up. She sits down on a stump where a beautiful Maple once stood next to the River and begins to reminisce about her life.


Kathryn's Parents
Christopher Columbus & Ethel Collier
Approx. 1920