Yvonne Hamilton Tatum
Sunrise: April 12, 1943 Sunset: May 12, 2020
“Her Story was Love and Her Legacy and Impact will Live in Our Hearts Forever.”
Yvonne Hamilton Tatum was born to the late Bobbie and Helen Hamilton on April 12, 1943 in Jacksonville, Florida. Yvonne was affectionately known as the “darling of the family”. She loved her family and she let you know it. Her infectious smile could light up a room and easily soften any heart. She was a warm, engaging, loving and spirited child and she grew to become a vivacious woman was beautiful inside and out.
Yvonne migrated with her family to New York City in the late 1940’s. She attended Stitt Junior High School where she was awarded a commendation for Excellent Citizenship. After graduating George Washington High School in Washington Heights, New York, Yvonne pursued a career as a fashion model.
Upon completing her training at Ophelia Devoe School of Charm, Yvonne competed in many events. She achieved the honor and recognition as a Covette Magazine’s high fashion model in July, 1965 and the title of Miss Congeniality in the Miss Black America competition that same year.
In 1969, Yvonne married the love of her life, Berkley G. Tatum. She retired from modeling and joined her husband working at Albert Einstein Medical Center in the Human Services field. Yvonne loved everyone’s child and every child adored her. She was known to always have a special treat or manage to have a surprise for every child she would meet. Yvonne had a special way of making everyone feel both welcomed and cherished.
Yvonne and Berkley were blessed with two beloved sons, Berkley and Hassoun. When her sons were born, they became her main purpose in life. Yvonne later took a leave of absence from her work to tour the country with her son, Hassoun, who had a leading role in the Broadway hit play, “The Tap Dance Kid”. She made a place for herself on the road as she, Hassoun, and the crew (who adored her) toured nearly every major city in the continental United States. Yvonne enjoyed cooking and traveling with her husband. They relocated to Pennsylvania in 1995 and finally retired to Greensboro, North Carolina in 2016.
Yvonne Hamilton Tatum transitioned into eternal rest with the Lord on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at the Maple Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. We rejoice in the assurance that Yvonne is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband Berkley Tatum, her son Hassoun Tatum, her mother Helen Daisley, her step-father Dennis Daisley, her sisters Gloria and Laurel Hamilton, her brother Adolphus Hamilton, her mother-in-law Verlie Tatum, her niece Renee Hamilton Gwaltney, along with a number of aunts, uncles and other dear friends and relatives.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her son and daughter-in-law, Berkley and Josephine Tatum; step-children Laverne (Ronnie) Waddell, Lisa Mitchem and Tanya Diggs; grandchildren Cydney, Quentin, China, Morgan, Tommy and Sean; her brother and sister-in-law Leonard and Cece Hamilton; her brother Keith Daisley; her sister and brother-in-law Denise and Aleth Francois; sisters-in-law Joann Hamilton, Khanthaly Daisley, Margret Thomas and Juanita Richmond; her goddaughter Lynn; godsons Adolphus (P.K.) and Khary; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and loving friends.
With Love,
The Family
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