John Tatum

Funeral services honoring the life of John Smith Tatum, 86, were held December 23, 2017 at Beulah Baptist Church in Mansfield with the Rev. David Permenter officiating. Burial follow at Sardis Cemetery in Converse. He was born on April 3, 1931 to C.W. and Sally Tatum and entered into rest December 21, 2017. He was hardworking and faithful to his wife, children, great-grandchildren, family, and friends. John was born and raised in the Sardis Community. Honest hard work and determination were part of his large family of three boys and five girls. These traits were the very core of the man John Tatum became. Upon finishing high school, John served in the Air Force for eight years as an aircraft mechanic. Once he served his country, John moved his family back to the Sardis Community to own and operate dairy farm for several years. John worked offshore, hauled pulpwood, worked for Lone Star Feed, owned/operated three chicken houses, and retired from Sabine Parish School Board as a school bus driver, “Mr. John.” John was indeed an honest hardworking and determined man. He worked hard to provide for his family. Once retired, John and Wanda joined the Enon Builders Group. This was group of Christian men/women who traveled around the country serving the Lord by donating their time, effort, and skill to help build churches. John’s love for music, especially “good old gospel songs” was used for the service and love of the Lord. Thursday evening, for many years, John and Wanda, and a group of friends would go sing to with residents at a local nursing home. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Wanda Lee Tatum; his parents; brothers, Addison and Tanner; sisters, Aleece and Helen; infant daughter, Theresa Tatum; and daughter-in-law, Susan Pepmiller Tatum. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his sons, Sam Tatum and Curtis Tatum and wife, DeNise; daughter, Sandra Shepherd and husband, Don; grandchildren, Matt Tatum, Tabitha Richardson and husband, Jacobie, and Zachary Shepherd; great-grandchildren, Nicholas Tatum, Camerohn Sepulvado, Colbie and Callie Richardson; sisters, Hilda Thompson and Mildren Colton; and special friends/neighbors, Ronnie and Sissy Vickers. Honoring the life of John as pallbearers were members of his family. Rose-Neath Funeral HomeMansfield Chapel – (318) 872-4660