Shirley Tatum

Shirley Lolita Tatum, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, transitioned to her heavenly home on September 20, 2023. She was born on March 1, 1955, to the late Robert and Bonnie Jean Bartnett in Laurel, Mississippi. She graduated in 1973 from Yates High School in Houston, TX. After graduation, she moved to El Dorado, AR, where she was blessed to be a mother of her three precious boys, James, Jonathan, and Jason. Each child was a special joy that she loved dearly.

In 1997, she married her devoted husband, Elmer "Dewitt" Tatum. She was employed at Hillsboro Nursing Home for 15 years. She was a dedicated servant of God, where she attended St. James Baptist Church. Shirley's faith in the Lord enabled her to guide her family in good and bad times.

Shirley was a beautiful person inside and out. One of her favorite things was fishing with her husband, DeWitt. She enjoyed family "get-togethers" and cared deeply for her family around her, especially Nannies Babies- Aytiana, Ashierya, Janaiya, Trevon, and Jason Jr. Laughter, family, and love were words she lived by and inspired all those around her to feel. As she transitions, know that her memory will live on within those she touched and inspired with kindness, a simple gesture, or spoken word.

Shirley is preceded in death by her beloved parents and two sisters, Cassandra and Marilyn.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband of 25 years, Elmer "Dewitt" Tatum; her children, James Reedy Jr of Little Rock, AR., Jonathan Reedy of Houston, TX, Jason Reedy Sr. (Marnika) of Little Rock, AR, Kelton Manning of El Dorado, AR, Demetris Tatum (Marcus) of El Dorado, AR, Jawannia Williams (Garry) of El Dorado, AR, Sharikka Moore( Antonio) of El Dorado, AR, and William Thompson of El Dorado, AR; 10 grandchildren, AyTiana, Ashierya, Janiya, Trevon, Jason Jr., Kamren, Johnny, Brian, Sha'Marcea and Kaliyah; two great-grandchildren, Amoura and Kaiyden; two sisters, Janice Sanders(Joe) of Houston, TX, Carolyn Bougere of Houston, TX; four brothers, Stevie Barnett (Lily) of El Dorado, AR, Alton Barnett of Houston, TX, Allen Barnett of Houston, TX and Robert Barnett (Jasmine) of Houston, TX., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends