Lela Beall Tatum
b. 16 May 1887, d. 19 August 1924
- Father: Hamling Tatum b. 1 October 1860, d. 15 May 1948
- Mother: Susan Ella Beall b. 11 January 1863, d. 19 February 1956
- Lela Beall Tatum was born on 16 May 1887 in Elba, Coffee 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 Lela Beall Tatum, Duke Hamling Tatum, Mary Glenn Tatum and Earl Menefee Tatum.
- She married Arthur V. Buck Jr. on 8 October 1908 in Elba, Coffee County, Alabama, with Rev. T. G. Jones officiating.
- The following appeared on 10 October 1908 in The Montgomery Advertiser: (Elba, Oct. 9) Last night at 8:30 o'clock at the Methodist church Mr. Arthur V. Buck and Miss Leila Belle Tatum were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. [:C:R] . . . Miss Alice Boyd was maid of honor and Mr. Duke Tatum best man. The attendants were: Mr. Ted Campbell and Miss Elba Lane, Mr. R. B. Carr and Miss Eurora Farris, Mr. J. M. Bowers and Miss Monnie Rowe, Mr. John Campbell and Miss Pearl Hutchinson, Mr. Grover C. Bowden and Miss Bessie Rainer. Messrs. Henry Ellis, Joseph Brook acted as ushers. [:C:R] . . . They were met at the altar by Rev. T. Jones, pastor of the Methodist church here, who performed the solemn rites that made them husband and wife. [:C:R] After the ceremony the entire bridal party was entertained at a reception at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Tatum. [:C:R] The young couple are well known in this section of the State. The bride is one of the best families of the town, and enjoys the esteem of a large circle of friends. Mr. Buck is a son of the late Captain A. V. Buck, who was quite prominent in the public affairs of the town.
- The following appeared on 11 June 1910 in The Montgomery Advertiser: (Elba) At their beautiful home on Pine Street Wedensday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur V. Buck, Jr., entertained in honor of Miss Renova Beard and Mr. Duke Tatom of Luverne. Miss Alice Boyd and Miss Glennie Tatom presided at the punch bowl. The games of the evening were whist, dominoes and hearts. . . .
- Arthur V. Buck Jr. registered for the draft on 5 June 1917 in Miller County, Georgia, while living with his wife and three children in Babcock, employed there as postmaster and store manager of Babcock Brothers Lumber Company.
- Lela Beall Tatum died on 19 August 1924 at age 37 in Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia, on the day her daugher Lela was born.
- Her husband Arthur V. Buck Jr. became a widower at her death.
- She was interred at Dothan City Cemetery, Dothan, Houston County, Alabama.
- 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.
- Last Edited: 27 Feb 2014