Obituary of Agnes H.S. Tatum of Richland Parish Louisiana as published in the Richland Beacon News, July 29, 2004 Submitted by for the USGenWeb Archives by Dot Golliher, 08/11/2004 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Agnes H.S. Tatum Funeral services for Agnes Holloway Strong Tatum were held on Friday, July 23, 2004 at Holly Ridge United Methodist Church, with a graveside service at Boeuf Prairie United Methodist Church. The Rev. Marcelle Crow and The Rev, Robert Townsend officiated the services, which were under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Nathan Adcox, Jerry Clark, Gary Freeland, Larry Lyle, Leo Lyle, Jr., Kyle Mills, Jr., Alan Thomspon and Todd Wood. George B. Franklin Jr. served as honorary pallbearer. Visitation was held Thursday evening at Mulhearn Funeral Home. Mrs. Tatum died at age 86 of natural causes on Wednesday, July 21,2004. She was preceded in death by her husband, W.L.Strong,Sr.; her Second husband, Clevo Tatum; her sister Carolina Holloway; her son, W.L. Strong, Jr. and her son William Tatum. She is survived by her sister, Marjorie H. Holloway of Holly Ridge; her brother, Wendell Holloway Sr., of Dallas, Texas; her daughter, Edith Fay Strong Southern of Little Rock, Arkansas; her son Lester Germany of Evans, Georgia; her daughter, Linda Auker of Pennsylvania; and her son, Robert Tatum of Alabama. She had twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Born in Franklin Parish, Louisiana on June 15, 1918, she graduated as salutatorian, from Rayville High School. She married W.L. Strong, Sr., and they settled in the Holly Ridge Community. Following the untimely deaths of her husband and her father, Mrs. Tatum went to work for Cochran and Franklin Company to support and educate her two small children, as well as her younger sisters, and brother. Her career in business lasted until her retirement from George B. Franklin & Son. She later married Clevo Tatum, living in Union Parish until Mr. Tatum’s death. She then returned to her home in Holly Ridge. A life-long charter member of Holly Ridge Methodist Church, Mrs. Tatum was also a member of Lamda Kappa, and later, The Literary Club of Richland Parish. Mrs. Tatum was one of the first women to serve on the Richland Parish School Board, and she was an active advocate for the development and growth of Holly Ridge Schools. She was a landowner and farmer until shortly before her death. Most importantly, she will be remembered for her commitment and devotion to her family, friends, and community. Memorials to the life of Mrs. Tatum may be made to Holly Ridge United Methodist Church or Holly Ridge School Library.