Oscar Tatum
Oscar Leon Tatum, 81, passed away on March 20, 2017 at his residence.
He retired from Tennessee American Water Company. He was a member of First Baptist of Ooltewah.
Survivors include his wife, LaVerta Tatum; daughters, Sharon Sims, Marjorie (MJ) Strickland, Verna Strickland, Denise (Rodney) Bryant; sons, Kenneth (Linda) Strickland, Bernard (Joyce) Waller; three self-adopted sons, Bob (Charlotte), Hubert and Rev. Gerald (Shelia) Spence, Sr.; 10 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren; friend/brother, David Garth-Shirley; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be on Sunday, March 26, at 1 p.m. in the chapel with Reverend Gerald Spence, Sr. officiating. Interment will be in Ooltewah Cemetery.
The body will lie in state after noon on Saturday, March 25. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at First Baptist of Ooltewah.
Arrangements will be announced by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.