Elizabeth (Betsy) J. Tatum

Elizabeth (Betsy) J. Tatum took the hand of her Redeemer on January 3rd, 2017. Betsy was born in Elizabeth City, NC on December 4th, 1953 to Max and Hilda Pfanzelter (deceased), the second of four children.

Betsy graduated from Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, VA and attended Radford College studying business. She started working for The Lawson Companies right out of college and joined Bush Construction Corporation in Norfolk, VA in 1988. She later moved with Bush when they relocated to Williamsburg, VA. She began her career with Bush as a property manager and then later moved to the corporate office where she worked in accounting and served as the payroll administrator until she suffered an aneurysm in March of 2013. Betsy was an avid animal lover and did her best to rescue any German Sheppard that crossed her path.

She is survived by two sisters and a brother, Barbara (Don) Lucy of Lynchburg, VA, Joey (Patty) Pfanzelter of Woodbridge, VA, Peggy (Dave) Fields of Virginia Beach, VA and her daughter Kelly (Robert) Demchak of Virginia Beach, VA, two grandchildren Kate and Ally Chandler of Williamsburg, VA, and six nieces and nephews, Lindsay, Merideth, Sarah, Sean, Heather and Jeffrey. Also left behind is her bestest friend and longtime caregiver, Gloria Judah.

The family will hold a visitation at Nelsen Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 11th from 5 – 7 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Bede Catholic Church on Thursday, January 12th at 10:30 am at the W&M Campus Shrine located at 10 Harrison Avenue, Williamsburg, VA, after which there will be a private burial in Lynchburg, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to the Heritage Humane Society at 430 Waller Mill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185 or to the charity of your choice.