Milton E. Tatum

Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford Mr. Milton E. Tatum, 89, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at his home in Oxford, MS, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford (601 Commerce Pkwy., Oxford, MS 38655). A graveside service will follow at 4:30 p.m. at Browning Cemetery (CR 313, Oxford, MS 38655). Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Tatum was born on August 13, 1934, in Taylor, MS. As a young man, Mr. Tatum developed a work ethic like no other. He has always been the type of man to work from sun up to sun down. He worked for a long time as a building contractor and a carpenter, before creating his own septic tank business. He maintained the Taylor Water System for many years. In his free time, he also worked as a farmer and enjoyed nothing more than working his cows, hay, and garden. This incredible work ethic earned him immense respect within the community and life-long customers, who still say that they have never met anyone who would work as hard as him. Mr. Tatum not only put an amazing amount of work into his business, but also in himself, his family, and all of those around him. He was known to have a personality that would light up the room. He was such a selfless man, and he was always willing to help those around him no matter the circumstances. He made friends everywhere he went, and he never hesitated on taking others under his wing to mentor and help them. Mr. Tatum also put his Lord and Savior first and served as a member and a deacon at Taylor Baptist Church. He served his Lord as faithful as any. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman. He also was a proud and founding member of the Splinter Valley Hunting Club. However, there was nothing he was more proud of than his family, especially his children and his grandchildren. He will truly be missed by all who knew him. Mr. Tatum is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Maples Tatum of Oxford; his three daughters, Lynda McCain of Taylor, MS, and Sherry Tatum and Phyllis Tatum Smith, both of Oxford; five granddaughters, Misty (Gene) Anderson and Becky (Chris) Moorehead, both of Oxford, Shanita (Charles) Slider of Clarksville, TN, Brandee (Drew) Wheeler of New Albany, MS, and Kady Smith of Oxford; four grandsons, Jayson (Aleshia) Greene of Huntsville, AL, Jarrell Greene of NC, and Derek (Morgan) Hunter and Cody (Crystal) Hunter, both of Oxford; and 20 great grandchildren. As well as a host of nieces and nephews that he loved like his own. Mr. Tatum was preceded in death by his parents, Ira Lee Tatum and Willie Mae Varner Tatum; four brothers, Edward Tatum, Ernest Lee Tatum, George Tatum, and Howard Tatum; and two sons-in-law, Charlie McCain and Larry Smith. Donations and memorials in honor of Mr. Milton E. Tatum may be made to the donor’s choice of Browning Cemetery (c/o Libby Callicoat, 324 CR 321, Oxford, MS 38655), or Yocona Cemetery (c/o Libby Callicoat, 324 CR 321, Oxford, MS 38655). Online condolences may be left on his Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com

Milton E. Tatum

August 13, 1934 - September 2, 2023

Explore Obituaries &
Upcoming Services