Obituaries 12/08/2022

Martha Ruth (McCullar) Tatum

OXFORD – Martha Ruth (McCullar) Tatum of Water Valley, age 81,went to her forever home Sunday, December 4, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. Her family was by her side.

Martha was born November 7, 1941, in Water Valley to the late Aubrey and Corrie (Pendergrass) McCullar. She had a tender and loving spirit with a servant’s heart. After graduating from Oakland High School in 1959, Martha began her working career at Big Yank where she learned the craft of making jeans. She left Big Yank when they closed their doors after 40-plus years. In 1968, she married a man by the name of Dwight Tatum and they soon started her family.
Everything Martha did, she did with passion, and that included watching the Atlanta Braves and Water Valley High School football. She attended every home Blue Devil game there was. During her younger years, Martha played softball for Sylva Rena as well as the Big Yank ball teams. She was a very faithful member of Sylva Rena Baptist Church and served in any capacity she could. Martha was well known for her recipes in the church and was never shy about sharing them with others. But absolutely nothing held a light to the love she held for her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Visitation was held Tuesday, December 6, at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from noon until 2 p.m. The service followed at 2 p.m. with Dr. Shane Crawford officiating. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Martha is survived by two daughters, Debra (Thomas)West (Thomas) and Kim Ferguson; three grandchildren, Cody Inman, Henry West and Ava Claire West, all of Water Valley; one step-granddaughter Hannah Willis; two great granddaughters Raelyn and Mabry Dickey; one brother, William McCullar (Rebecca) of Coffeeville; and her entire Sylva Rena church family.

As well as her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Dwight Tatum.