Earl Menefee Tatum

b. 26 March 1897, d. 8 April 1958
  • Earl Menefee Tatum was born on 26 March 1897 in Luverne, Crenshaw County, Alabama.
  • Hamling Tatum and Susan Ella Beall appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Elba, Coffee County, Alabama, at Collier Street enumerated next to Susan's mother Susan Beall.. Other members of the household included Earl Menefee Tatum, Lela Beall Tatum, Duke Hamling Tatum and Mary Glenn Tatum.
  • Hamling Tatum and Susan Ella Beall appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Elba, Coffee County, Alabama, at Collier Street. Other members of the household included Earl Menefee Tatum, Mary Glenn Tatum.
  • He married Esther Mae Williams.
  • Earl Menefee Tatum registered for the draft on 5 June 1918 in Coffee County, Alabama, while living in Dothan (Houston County), and employed there by B. W. Armstrong.
  • The following appeared on 22 November 1924 in The Dothan Eagle: A statue of Abraham Lincoln, pocket-knife creation of Earl M. Tatum of Dothan, was on display at Montgomery in the Capitol. Tatum copied the statue, "Lincoln in Repose," from a magazine picture. That is, he copied all but the head. He lost the picture before completing the work. Lincoln's picture on a penny served as a model to help Tatumthe rest of the way.
  • The following appeared on 26 January 1947 in The Dothan Eagle: A very quiet celebration today will note the sixty-first wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Hamling Tatum, 207 S. Oates street. Although there will be no formal observance of the event, their relatives and friends will take advantage of the opportunity to offer congratulations to this beloved couple.
         They were married in the Baptist Church at Elba on January 26, 1886. Mrs. Tatum, prior to her marriage, was Susie Lawhon Beall, daughter of the late Samuel Preston Beall and Susie Lawhon Beall, of Elba.
         Mrs. Tatum at 84 still does her own housework and laundry as well as most of her sewing and fine needlework. Family friends are amazed when they learn that she does not wear glasses and has never had her eyes examined. Her hearing is almost as perfect as it was in her younger days.
         Mr. Tatum was born October 1, 1861 [sic] at Elba. He retired from active business ten years ago but he manages to accomplish many chores about the house which younger men would find taxing. Two years ago when he was 84 he repainted the entire interior of his apartments in addition to doing some of the outside painting. Commenting on his good health, Mr. Tatum remarked that he did not smoke and that he had never tasted whiskey.
         Mr. and Mrs. Tatum, who are prominent and spirited citizens, moved to Dothan from Elba in 1919. Since that time they have been active members of Foster Street Methodist Church. During the sixty-one years of their marriage they have shared together the affection and esteem of their fellow-citizens.
         Their children are Earl Tatum, of Dothan; Duke Tatum, of Elba; Mrs. L. A. Norman (Glennie), of Lake Charles, La; and Mrs. A. V. Buck (Lela Beall), deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tatum reared the four surviving children of their daughter, Mrs. Buck, after her death.
  • The following appeared on 16 May 1948 in The Dothan Eagle: Hamlin Tatum, eight-eight, retired Dothan barber, died unexpectedly at his residence, 207 South Oates street, about 11:30 o'clock last night.
         Survivors include two sons, Duke Tatum of Elba and Earl Tatum of Dothan; one daughter, Mrs. Leslie Norman of Lake Charles, La., and several grandchildren.
         Funeral arrangements will be announced by Ward-Wilson.
  • Earl Menefee Tatum died on 8 April 1958 at age 61 in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama.
  • His wife Esther Mae Williams became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Dothan City Cemetery, Dothan, Houston County, Alabama.
  • Last Edited: 28 Feb 2014

Family: Esther Mae Williams b. 7 December 1898, d. 30 November 1967