Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Tatem, James Franklin May 13, 1932
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Dorothy Strawhand https://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008405 October 19, 2019, 7:27 pm

Virginian Pilot and The Norfolk Landmark May 14, 1932

J.F. TATEM, PARADE MARSHAL, FATALLY STRICKEN ON HORSE

Widely-Known Berkley Man Dies While Attending Memorial Day Exercises

Active In Confederate Organization Affairs

Sergt. James F. Tatem, aged 74, of 408 Pendleton street, Berkley, died suddenly 
at 4:15 o'clock yesterday afternoon in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Portsmouth, while 
acting as marshal at the Confederate Memorial Day exercises.  
He was on his horse when stricken and was caught by one of his aides when he 
fell back in the saddle.  He was removed from the horse and taken into the 
keepers' house where restoratives were administered, but he never regained 
consciousness, living only a few seconds.
The program of exercises had been completed.  Taps had been sounded at the 
Confederate lot and the usual salute fired over the graves of the sleeping 
soldiers, to which Sergeant Tatem had responded with a salute and the 
Confederate Choir had just concluded its last song, when the sergeant was 
noticed to reel backward in his saddle.
A physician was summoned and pronounced the stricken man dead.  Dr. Glover, the 
coroner, was notified and viewed the body, but did not deem an inquest 
necessary, attributing death to natural causes.

                             Native Of Berkley
The deceased was a native of Berkley, born at the old Tatem home in Cedar Grove, 
a section at the tip end of South Main street on the Southern Branch of the 
Elizabeth River, noted for its beautiful old homes dotting the shore lines of 
the stream.  
He was the son of the late Benjamin T. and Mary L. Cherry Tatem.  Surviving him 
are his wife, Mrs. Elishea Drummond Tatem; three daughters, Miss Louise 
Caroline, Mrs. Helen Tatem Rogers and Mrs. Elishea Tatem Pretlow, of this city; 
one son, James F. Tatem, Jr., New York; one grandson, James Bailey Pretlow and 
two sisters, Miss Sue Tatem and Miss Margaret Tatem, also of this city.
He was a member and vestryman of old St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Chestnut 
street, for many years the First Episcopal Church of Berkley and later 
consolidated with St. Bride's Church.  He took a keen interest in his church and 
civic affairs and perhaps was the foremost and outstanding member of Niemeyer-
Shaw Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, in which he was one of the leading 
spirits of its organization after the thinning ranks of the senior camp blighted 
its activities.  It was under the auspices of the Sons camp that the Confederate 
Memorial Day celebrations were continued from year to year.  Sergeant Tatem had 
called a meeting of the Sons a few days ago and had planned for Confederate 
Memorial Day exercises May 19 and many plans had been consummated under his 
direction.  He had been active and the motivating spirit of the Memorial Day in 
Berkley for a quarter of a century.

                            Town Sergeant
His civic activities won his appointment as town sergeant of Berkley when the 
political affairs of the town were wrested from those who took charge of the 
government after the civil war.  He was an appointee under the Straightout 
Democratic movement.  He was also made police sergeant of Berkley when the town 
consolidated with Norfolk about 20 years ago, which office he continued to hold 
until four and a half years ago when he was retired on pension.
"In all of his activities he was untiring, conscientious and was held in high 
esteem by both his superiors and subordinates alike," one of his friends said.  
"He was dependable regardless of the trying circumstances with which he was 
confronted.  No one thought of questioning his sincerity."
                                       
                            Came As A Shock
The news of his sudden death to his wide circle of friends, and hundreds called 
at the home last night to express their condolence to the stricken family.  His 
daughter, Miss Louise Tatem and sister, Miss Margaret Tatem were attending the 
Memorial exercises and were at his side soon after he was removed from the horse 
he was riding.
The body was taken to the funeral home of J.R. Williams, 1027 Chesapeake avenue, 
South Norfolk, pending funeral arrangements which will not be announced until 
the arrival of his son from New York.



Additional Comments:
Magnolia

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