Tamie Renee Wellmaker

A great celebration occurred at the Eastern Gate at 3:30 on January 18. My amazing little sister, Tamie Renee Wellmaker, was reunited with Mom, Dad, Beth, and her son, Micah. Also present were a host of aunts, uncles, and grandparents who eagerly awaited her arrival. Most important, she was embraced by her Lord and Savior, Jesus. Tamie was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in December 2023 and fought like a warrior princess for over two years. Her battle was the stuff of legends, and if we still told stories around the campfire, her story would be told for generations.

Tamie was the second born to Bill and June. Born on February 23, 1962 and in spite of being born into a male-centric family and being the middle child, well, she punched her way through those obstacles like a wet paper bag. From an early age, she forged her own identity.

And she was a boss—something that was established pretty quickly. In the apartment complex where we were raised, she formed a girls’ club. They built their own fort and conscripted her older brother (me) and my friends to guard it. Little did I know at the time that we were only lowly lookouts while she and her friends smoked cigarettes heisted from unsuspecting parents. We guarded.They smoked. She had a royal friend group in The Apartments and at Idlewood Elementary.

Tamie’s early childhood was spent swimming, dancing, riding bikes, playing in the woods surrounding the apartments and skating. Skating was her true passion as a kid. She started skating at Medlock Skating Center in Decatur, but later, spent almost every Friday Night and Saturday at The Plantation Skating Rink. Not only could she keep a great beat to the popular songs of the 70’s, she also mastered the Charlston - more of an Olympic style routine - gliding, flipping and spinning around the floor. She was also the speed queen winning every race between boys and girls. She owned the rink. She was a sight to behold.

Tamie was many things to many people. She was an amazing daughter - caring for her Mom and Dad until the end. She was a wonderful sister to both Beth and I. She was a niece - a cousin and a friend, but the role she cherished the most, she was a Mom. She loved being a Mother to Zach, Katie, Micha, Kristin and Zoe. She did everything she could to assure that all needs and most wants were met. Several years ago, she was reunited with Matt, whom she had at the age of 16 and placed for adoption. She developed a wonderful bond with him, and they saw one another regularly over the last four years. Through every season of her life, family remained at the center of who she was. As young adults, she continued family traditions - making sure the kids were close to memaw and paw-paw and often getting the kids together just as our parents had done—the cousins. Over time, they developed a special bond of their own.

After the kids grew, Tamie carried her skills and determination into her professional life. She established herself as an amazing sales professional, building a large Atlanta branch for a Milwaukee-based company. Tamie opened a new vertical for them—trucking—and grew the branch from scratch into a profitable operation. Her specialty was finding and placing both long-haul and regional truck drivers for a variety of companies across the U.S.

One especially meaningful relationship began 40 years ago, when Tamie met Staci, my life partner. There was an instant connection, and from that point forward, they did life together. There were ups and downs over those four decades, but their bond—rooted in womanhood and motherhood—never wavered. Their mutual love and respect for one another was a sight to behold.

Within the extended family, they became known as Thelma and Louise, sharing many adventures on 30A, Myrtle Beach, and in a few casinos. They would tell me about their escapades—well, most of them. I’m sure a few are locked in a vault, pinky-sworn to secrecy.

As time went on, they joined forces with their beloved Aunt “Noots” to care for our loved ones in their final stages. First Beth. Then Mom. Then Dad. With loving hands, patience, and tenderness, they looked into the faces of love as each one transitioned. And finally, Tamie was the one in the bed.

During that time, she was never alone. Thanks to Noots, Katie, Zoe, and especially Staci for always being at her side. Staci was there for her final breath—alone with Tamie in her room. It was most fitting.

Tamie had a wonderful support team from her Church at Liberty Square in Cartersville. Long after she was able to attend, her friends and Pastor Travis Rutland visited her often. Travis prayed over her and offered comfort just hours before her transition. The congregation kept her close in prayer.. Much of Sis's spiritual growth came while attending Liberty Square, and for that we are truly grateful.

As mentioned before, Tamie was met by those who preceded her: June and Bill (Mom and Dad), our baby sister Beth, Tamie’s third-born, Micah, and a heavenly host of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Those still in the room are her children: Zach, Katie, Kristin, Zoe, and Matt. She leaves behind her grandchildren: Olivia, Bronson, Ezra, Aaron, Landon, Jackson, Beckett, and Madelyn. She also leaves behind her nephews and nieces: Corey, Josh, Brody, Dakota, Faith, and Logan, along with her aunts—Noots (Marion) and Pam—Uncle Billy, and many cousins. And, of course, she leaves behind me—her older brother—and her best friend and sister-in-law, Staci. We will live our lives with the lessons she taught us about love, family, loyalty and laughter.