Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Name“John” Walter Louis TATUM 
740, Edd Hassell Oakley,690, Haywood "Red" Walker Oakley,262, Annie "Jeanette" Oakley Tatum,470, Walter Louis “John” Tatum,404, North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9B-997J : Mon Mar 11 02:05:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Walter Louis Tatum and Walter Clifton Tatum, 28 June 1963
740, Edd Hassell Oakley,690, Haywood "Red" Walker Oakley,262, Annie "Jeanette" Oakley Tatum,470, Walter Louis “John” Tatum,404, North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9B-997J : Mon Mar 11 02:05:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Walter Louis Tatum and Walter Clifton Tatum, 28 June 1963BirthApr 10, 1939, Caswell County, North Carolina470, Walter Louis “John” Tatum
DeathApr 6, 2025470, Walter Louis “John” Tatum
BurialLea Bethel Baptist Church, 1820 Ridgeville Road, Ridgeville, Caswell County, North Carolina470, Walter Louis “John” Tatum
Spouses
1Annie Jeanette OAKLEY 740, Edd Hassell Oakley,690, Haywood "Red" Walker Oakley,470, Annie “Jeanette” Oakley Tatum,470, Walter Louis “John” Tatum,404, North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9B-997J : Mon Mar 11 02:05:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Walter Louis Tatum and Walter Clifton Tatum, 28 June 1963
740, Edd Hassell Oakley,690, Haywood "Red" Walker Oakley,470, Annie “Jeanette” Oakley Tatum,470, Walter Louis “John” Tatum,404, North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9B-997J : Mon Mar 11 02:05:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Walter Louis Tatum and Walter Clifton Tatum, 28 June 1963BirthMay 4, 1942470, Annie “Jeanette” Oakley Tatum
DeathJan 20, 2025740, Edd Hassell Oakley,470, Annie “Jeanette” Oakley Tatum
BurialLea Bethel Baptist Church, 1820 Ridgeville Road, Ridgeville, Caswell County, North Carolina470, Annie “Jeanette” Oakley Tatum
FatherAlonza Hughes OAKLEY (1911-1993)
MotherAnnie Lucille RUDD (1917-1984)
MarriageJun 28, 1963, Hightowers, Caswell County, North Carolina262, Annie "Jeanette" Oakley Tatum,404, North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9B-997J : Mon Mar 11 02:05:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Walter Louis Tatum and Walter Clifton Tatum, 28 June 1963
No Children
Obituary Online notes for “John” Walter Louis TATUM
Walter "John" Louis Tatum, 85, of Prospect Hill, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 6, 2025. A native of Caswell County, he was the son of the late Clifton and Vertie Tatum.
John retied from the North Carolina Department of Corrections where he worked as a Detention Officer. When he wasn't working, he found joy in raising tobacco and cultivating a beautiful garden. His love for nature was only matched by his love for family. He was known for spoiling his nieces and nephews, and his generous spirit touched everyone who knew him. John was admired by many, especially the younger men in his community who looked up to him as a mentor. His kindness, humility, and willingness to always lend a helping hand made him a beloved figure in the area. Whether it was offering a word of advice or simply spending time with those in need, John gave selflessly to his community.
He was a member of Lea Bethel Baptist Church, where he found great joy in singing in the choir. His faith was a cornerstone of his life.
In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Annie "Jeanette" Tatum; his sisters, Brenda Worsham and Vertie Lee Aherron; his brothers, Duke Tatum, Leonard Tatum, and Wayne Tatum; and his brother-in-laws, Haywood "Red" Oakley, Kenneth Oakley, and Edd Hassell Oakley.
He is survived by his sister, Odell Carter; his sister-in-laws, Lounell Talley and Pat Clayton; his brother-in-laws, Tom Oakley and Danny Oakley; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held to honor his life on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Lea Bethel Baptist Church beginning at 3:00pm. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to AuthoraCare Hospice: 918 Chapel Hill Road Burlington, NC 27253.
https://www.mcclurefuneralservice.net/obituaries/walter-louis-tatum 262, Walter "John" Louis Tatum
John retied from the North Carolina Department of Corrections where he worked as a Detention Officer. When he wasn't working, he found joy in raising tobacco and cultivating a beautiful garden. His love for nature was only matched by his love for family. He was known for spoiling his nieces and nephews, and his generous spirit touched everyone who knew him. John was admired by many, especially the younger men in his community who looked up to him as a mentor. His kindness, humility, and willingness to always lend a helping hand made him a beloved figure in the area. Whether it was offering a word of advice or simply spending time with those in need, John gave selflessly to his community.
He was a member of Lea Bethel Baptist Church, where he found great joy in singing in the choir. His faith was a cornerstone of his life.
In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Annie "Jeanette" Tatum; his sisters, Brenda Worsham and Vertie Lee Aherron; his brothers, Duke Tatum, Leonard Tatum, and Wayne Tatum; and his brother-in-laws, Haywood "Red" Oakley, Kenneth Oakley, and Edd Hassell Oakley.
He is survived by his sister, Odell Carter; his sister-in-laws, Lounell Talley and Pat Clayton; his brother-in-laws, Tom Oakley and Danny Oakley; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held to honor his life on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Lea Bethel Baptist Church beginning at 3:00pm. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to AuthoraCare Hospice: 918 Chapel Hill Road Burlington, NC 27253.
https://www.mcclurefuneralservice.net/obituaries/walter-louis-tatum 262, Walter "John" Louis Tatum