Obituary

Edna Marie Tatum

90, a resident of Lincoln, passed away Sunday, January 24, 2021 in Springdale. She was born August 22, 1930 in Gotebo, Oklahoma, the daughter of Louie Newton and Mary (Bloyed) Wester.

Sister Tatum started her walk with Christ in 1954 and shortly after she started preaching, within the next year. She and Jimmie, her husband, of 65 years spent several years evangelizing and ministering wherever there was opportunity. They moved to Arkansas and settled in 1969. In 1973 they built and pastored a Pentecostal church just outside of Lincoln. Sister Tatum attended and pastored at the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church of God in Lincoln for over 47yrs.

Momma Tatum loved and treasured her family and church family. She loved to cook for anybody that would sit down and enjoy what was prepared, while listening to her countless stories and share in the love of God. She had numerous sons, daughters and grands in the Lord, and if that was you she told you so.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jimmie Tatum; six brothers, Buford Earl, Louie Clayborn, Johnny William, Marcus Eugene, Willie Joe and David Ray.

Survivors include her daughter, Rebecca Ayers and husband Jim; two sons, Gary Lee Wallace and wife Velma, and Ronald Wallace and wife Jeanetta; three sisters, Jeanette Carden, Wanda Williams and husband Earl, Laura Danley and husband Dwight; seven grandchildren, Korey Ayers and wife Paige, Sydni Farquharson and husband Jon, Kaleb Ayers and wife Taylor, Paul Wallace and wife Melissa, Karen Stamps and husband Chris, Jeff Wallace and wife Saron, Janice Swanson and husband Chad; ten great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 28, 2021, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Luginbuel Funeral Home with a Memorial Service at 12:00 P.M. following at the Prairie Grove Cemetery Pavilion.

Please follow CDC guidelines for Covid-19 while in attendance of the viewing and funeral service.
Funeral Service

12:00 pm
Prairie Grove Cemetery Pavilion
Visitation

11:00 am
Luginbuel Funeral Home
Final Resting Place
General

Aug 22, 1930

Jan 24, 2021

90

Tributes

Prayers for you Becky. Nothing but the greatest childhood memories with you and your parents!! I cherish my first bible from Mrs. Edna!! You, Edna and sir Jim, will always be in my heart!!
Ronnie Remington - Friend
Becky so sorry about you mother. May God give you comfort.
Anna Cheatham - friend
Becky and family, So sorry for your loss. You Mom and I always had good visits when I saw her. Prayers for you all.
Sandy Mounce - Friend
Becky, I pray for peace for you and your family. You were truly blessed with great parents. Love you!
Dianna Spencer - Friend
Becky, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was one very special lady and I will never forget her feisty spirit or her wonderful teaching and preaching. She was one of a few ladies in my life that I looked up to as an example of what a godly woman looked like and acted like. She left her mark on this world and will surely be missed. Prayers for you to be comforted during this time.
Penny Prince - Acquaintance
Becky, she was such an integral part of life that she is indeed family. We grieve with you and rejoice with her, for we know where she is.
Darrell - Friend
She was so strong and had such a great laugh and sense of humor. I loved her dearly. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Tracy Reese - Great niece
Aunt Edna was a one of a kind. Her laugh was infectious. She will truly be missed. Becky, prayers for comfort and strength.
Connie Price - Niece
Becky and Family Your mom was a great example of a strong Christian woman. She had a great personality and was never afraid to express it in her own style. Condolences to your family.
Rhonda Wester Blish - Neice
We are praying for God's peace and comfort to be with you and your family knowing how hard it is to have a Mother passing on to heaven. We are thinking of you.
Shirley and Bobby Jack Spears - friends
Aunt Edna was a great example of a good Christian. She loved the Lord and praised him as long as I knew her which is almost 65 years. She was a Christian long before I knew her. Her and Uncle Jim both preached and when I was a little girl he would go to Tijuana MX and take clothing, blankets, and many other necessities to help the poor. He eventually built a church there. In the early 2000’s I had the privilege of driving him one last time to visit the church he built. I was so impressed to see part of the original 2 story was still standing in the property as well as a beautiful new church. The church is prosperous and still helping people. I mentioned this because it’s with the love and support of Edna that this came to fruition. Uncle Jim and Aunt Edna raised to foster boys Ronnie and Gary Tatum Wallace as their boys. They were and still are my cousins. They grew up to be fine men any parent would be proud of. They both learned a lot living with the Tatum family. When I was about 7 or 8, Becky came into our lives. Oh what a beautiful baby she was. She had beautiful dark hair like Aunt Edna. Aunt Edna named her after Rebecca in the Bible and gave her Marie as a middle name, the same as Aunt Edna’s. Our whole family adored Becky and I was sad when she got a little older and they moved back to AR. Families lose touch when they live so far away, especially when you’re children. For Becky, her family, all family and friends left behind, I’m so sorry Aunt Edna was called home and you’re grieving. Yet I feel so happy for Aunt Edna. When we talked which wasn’t often enough, Aunt Edna always let me know it was a matter of time and she’d be in heaven with Uncle Jim and her family that had gone before her. She looked forward to the day God would call her home. I know she wouldn’t come back if she could because she’s in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In closing I want to say I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there to support my beautiful (inside and out) Cousin Becky and her family. Edna loved all her grandchildren and great grandchildren so much. I know there hearts are hurting. I’m sending prayers for love, comfort and peace to you. God knew what he was doing. I’m sure Aunt Edna has a beautiful crown. God bless you all.
Janet Lara - Niece
Edna was a lovely, spiritual person who always thought of others first. She will be missed.
Rebecca S Wester - cousin George's widow
Funeral Service

12:00 pm
Prairie Grove Cemetery Pavilion
Visitation

11:00 am
Luginbuel Funeral Home
Final Resting Place
General

Aug 22, 1930

Jan 24, 2021

90