Anita Denise Godfrey-Tatman

Anita was born on December 2, 1954 in Piscataway, NJ, where she was raised. She grew up surrounded by the church, God's word, and a true sense of community from an early age and was an active member of First Baptist Church in South Bound Brook, NJ.

During her early years, Anita became a pioneer of the times. Her mother Mary, with great foresight, had Anita involved in many activities to help her learn, grow, and excel in the world and instilled a sense of style, grace, poise, confidence, and determination. Anita was one of the first black Girl Scouts in her troop, studied ballet and tap dancing, played the piano alongside her sister Iris in many duets at various recitals. A fond memory of Anita’s is when she and her sister would enjoy playing duets together, racing to see who could play the fastest and if the other one could keep up! This was during the recital mind you!

In high school, she was a Baton Majorette for the Piscataway Crystalettes, marching in several competitions and many more parades in the local area. Another activity of foresight that came in handy that her mother had Anita do was a little thing that would become a major focal point in her future career, which was “typing and learning shorthand". Remember, computers and the modern keyboard didn't exist during that time, but typewriters were essential in the new emerging market at that time.

Anita went on to attend school at Bennett College in Greesboro, NC. She then enlisted in the US Army and began active service on August 30, 1974. During her military career, she was a Personnel Records Specialist, she is a Vietnam veteran and strongly believed in serving her country, and was honorably discharged at the end of her term in 1976. Shortly after, she moved to Atlanta, GA and worked for the Government for 40 years. It was during this time that she met and married the love of her life: Milton E. Tatman, Jr. They were together for the last 38 years, and out of that union came another love of her life, their son Cornell J. Tatman of which she was so proud of the man he had become and his ability to bare the weight of such a heavy responsibility in caring for both her and his father.

On March 23rd 2024, Anita Denise Godfrey Tatman passed away from the complications of aggressive stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

Anita is preceded in death by her Husband: Milton E Tatman Jr; Father: Moses T. Godfrey; Mother: Mary Frances Godfrey; Grandmother: Lula D. Taylor; and Sister: Cheryl McMillon.

Those Left to cherish her memories are her Son: Cornell J. Tatman; Sisters: Edith G. Wright and Iris S. Leach; Brother: Douglas McMillon; Nephews: Troy C. McMillon, Marc T. Redding, and Charles C. Leach III; and a host of other relatives.

A special note to all of her friends, her sisters at heart, her co-workers, and the people in her life that made her smile, laugh, and experience the fulfillment that life can bring. We thank you for being part of her life and sharing in her fond memories.

A graveside service for Anita will be held Friday, March 29, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, 3700 Stone Mountain Hwy, Snellville, GA 30039.