Marie Tatum

Nellie Marie Tatum On March 27, 2015 Nellie Marie Tatum was resurrected into Heaven to be with our Lord and Savior. Born August 19, 1923 in her grandmother's home in Burlington Junction, Missouri she was known as "Marie" to her family and friends. The oldest girl of 13 children, Marie grew up on a farm, valued education, service to others and family. She was a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia where she met her husband, former University of Arizona coach Roy Allen Tatum. They married December 22, 1946 in Graham, Missouri and lived in South Dakota and Oregon before settling in Tucson in 1955. Marie lived a long and adventurous life, making her first trip to Europe at the age of 79. She enjoyed bridge and played with the same group of women for over 50 years. She spent many weekends on Girl Scout adventures and served as a leader for both her daughter's troops and as a member of the council training team. She also loved flowers and was an avid gardener. She was a charter member of Christ Presbyterian Church (CPC) and later joined Trinity Presbyterian Church serving as an elder and deacon, before returning to CPC. Marie worked for the Tucson School District as a teacher's aide. She was a huge fan of University of Arizona sports, having season tickets for both football and basketball games for over 50 year. She followed her be loved Wildcats basketball team with a passion. She is survived by her daughters, Marla Sue Spengler of Grass Valley, California and Tonya Lee Tatum Deyo of Great Falls, Virginia; son, Thomas Allan Tatum of Tucson; grandchildren, Thomas, Erin, Takara, Tad, Tatum and Madison; and great-grandchild, Seraphina. She is also survived by siblings, Sarah Dawson of Glendale, Arizona; Ed Faris of Durango, Colorado; Neva Jones of Happy Jack, Arizona and George Faris of Louisville, Colorado and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in resurrection by husband Roy Tatum, parents Elmer Elsworth Faris and Elsie Hortense Houston Faris, and siblings Arthur, Harold, Leonard, Bryce, Adam, James, Roberta, and Ester. A celebration of Marie's life will be held at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6565 East Broadway, on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL.