Shirley Tatum Dies at 72

Shirley Ann Ray Tatum, 72, of Powder Springs, passed away today at her home.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at White Columns Funeral Chapel in Mableton. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. in the funeral home's chapel, with Rev. Terry Braswell and Rev. Tommy Young officiating. Interment will follow at Riverview Memorial Park in Smyrna.

Shirley was born to Grady Homer Ray and Lucille Nellie Causey Ray on October 9, 1939 in Atlanta. She grew up with her four siblings, Margaret, Jimmy, Harry and Homer.

After high school, she met and married the love of her life, William Lee Tatum. William worked as a carpenter while Shirley tended to their five children, Ronnie, Richard, Mark, Donna and Julie. They were later blessed with several grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Shirley was a beloved member of Bethlehem Baptist Church and will always be remembered for the love that she passed around. She enjoyed singing with her gospel group and spread the joy of song to many in need, as well as at church.

She loved to cook and enjoyed taking care of her plants in the house. Her family will remember her as an individual who truly loved to make people happy.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, who passed away in 2007; her daughter, Julie Tatum Williams, who passed away in 1995; her brother, Homer Cecil Ray, who passed away in 2010; and her loving parents, Grady and Lucille Ray.

She is survived by her daughter, Donna Davis of Powder Springs; son, Ronnie Lee Tatum of Powder Springs; son, Richard Allen Tatum of Powder Springs; son, Mark Ray Tatum and his wife, Brandi, of Locus Grove; seven grandchildren, Dana, Jennifer, Katie, Drake, Cason, Dustin and William; three great-grandchildren, Preston, Julie and Madison; brother, Jimmy Ray and his wife, Beth; brother, Harry Ray and his wife, Jenny; and sister, Margaret Wallace.

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