Inice Elise Tarrant

Inice Elise Carlisle Tarrant was born in Homewood, Alabama, to Inice Waller Carlisle and Pitt Milner Carlisle in 1929. She is survived by her children Dr. James R. Tarrant III (Catherine), Inice Elise “Neecie” Tarrant (Molly), Pitt Tarrant, and her granddaughters Brittany Grace Roberts (Noel) and Sarah Catherine Tarrant.

She was preceded in death by her husband James R. Tarrant II, son Paul Milner Tarrant, mother Inice Waller Carlisle, father Pitt Milner Carlisle, maternal grandparents Binion Chappelle Waller and Hattie Elizzie Hayes Waller, paternal grandparents Moses Napolean Carlisle and Ella Beneta Callaway Carlisle.On September 12, 2026, Inice was preceded by her daughter-in-law Cheryl Ann Robie Tarrant (Pitt).

Inice grew up during the Great Depression. She graduated from Shades Cahaba High School when she was only fifteen years old and after three years of study, Inice graduated from Samford University (formerly Howard College) in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. While in college, Inice met the love of her life and then husband of 50 years. She was also a member of the Kappa chapter of her beloved Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

In 1951 she and Jim were married and she began her devotion as a wife, mother, and medical professional. They moved from Birmingham to Berkley, California, and from there in 1954 to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where she was employed as a medical technologist at the Oak Ridge Methodist Medical Center (formerly Oak Ridge Hospital).In 1969, she returned to college entering the University of Tennessee and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Secondary Education. With that she began her second career as a public educator in the Oak Ridge City Schools.

Inice was a born-again Christian and was baptized in Edgewood Baptist Church in Homewood which later became Dawson Memorial Baptist Church .She was an active member of Glenwood Baptist Church in Oak Ridge for over 50 years serving in many roles from Sunday School teacher and VBS coordinator to beginner choir director. She also tutored math and science in her own afterschool program. In 2007, long after Jim passed away, Inice moved to Dothan, Alabama. Even before moving, Inice had already determined that First Baptist Church would become her new church home. That church family, including pastors Johnny Fain and Taylor Rutland, embraced and loved her for almost 20 years. She taught Sunday School at FBC until she was no longer able to attend church. She served for many years as a messenger to the Southern Baptist Convention. Her Christian faith and love of God was evident in her everyday life, in how she raised her children, and in her undying stewardship to God’s ministries. In addition to being a dedicated and loving daughter, niece, cousin, aunt, friend, wife, mother, and grandmother, Inice was first a devoted Christian. Throughout her life she had an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those around her.

Inice was a lifelong supporter of the American Red Cross and participated in local blood drives in Oak Ridge typing blood and running significant lab analyses. She was a recognized volunteer in the national research efforts promoting awareness for sickle cell anemia. For many years, Inice provided laboratory services to the Oak Ridge Children’s Clinic, the oldest operating pediatric clinic in Oak Ridge.

After moving to Dothan, she immediately dove into community service opportunities. Inice volunteered at Flowers Hospital for over ten years. She was recognized in 2016 as Flowers Hospital Volunteer of the Year. She also was a patron of Dothan’s Music South. For several years, she delivered food through the Wiregrass area Meals on Wheels program. She was very proud of her involvement in the development of the Westgate Wellness Pool. She was an “Aquacizer” for many years despite her profound fear of the water.

Inice had a bright smile and a sweet personality. She knew her Bible, but she lived her faith. She seized Life with joy and the excited anticipation of what was yet to come, and she gave back to that Life generously.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 from 3:00pm-5:00pm at Sunset Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, September 25, 2026 at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, AL.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends remember Inice Tarrant with a gift or with service to the American Red Cross, the Dothan Rescue Mission, First Baptist Church, or other charitable organizations of choice.