Mrs. Sylvia Diane Blanchard Tatum, age 59, died Wednesday afternoon, October 21, 2014, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Services for Mrs. Tatum were held on Tuesday, October 28, at South Pleasant Hill MB Church, where Rev. Christopher Moore is the pastor, with Rev. Wesley Bridges officiating. Interment was in the South Pleasant Hill Cemetery with Laird Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Tatum was the daughter of the late Javous Blanchard and the late Marlena Aultman Blanchard of rural Lawrence County. At an early age, she joined the Rose Hill Church and remained a member until she united with the New Home Church of Christ Holiness in Jayess. Mrs. Tatum served her Lord and Church faithfully until her health failed.
As a young woman, Mrs. Tatum was reared and educated in the Lawrence County area, graduating from Monticello High, prior to attending Alcorn University. Mrs Tatum married the late Robert Earl Tatum in 2005, and worked much of her adult life in the Insurance industry.
Mrs. Tatum’s survivors include her son, Shimon (Christine) Blanchard of Elgin, IL; sibling, Jerlene B. Bridges of Ellisville, Clarissa Grizzette, Ida Burnette, both of Elgin, IL, Rosemary Bogan of Fayetteville, NC, Javous (Charlesetta) Blanchard, Jr. of Jackson, Ella Haynes, Carolyn Martin and Emma Barnes, all of Silver Creek; two granddaughters, Imani and Isabelle Blanchard of Elgin, IL; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.