Jessie Fay Oliver Tatum passed away on July 3, 2024 in Dallas, TX, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was lovingly known as “Bussie” in her grandmother years. Jessie Fay was born on March 21, 1939 in Midland, Texas, to Mrs. Ida Elizabeth Cowden Oliver and Mr. Donald McCreery Oliver and was sister to Donald Cowden Oliver.
Jessie leaves behind a loving family of her three children Pryor Castleman Lancaster, Ballard Oliver Castleman and wife Tracy Adleta Castleman, Rives Elliott Castleman and wife Helen Bell Castleman and grandchildren Lynch Pryor Lancaster and wife Logan Grant Lancaster, Emily Oliver Lancaster, Oliver Blakely Castleman, William Rives Castleman, Campbell Adleta Castleman, Sloane Evelyn Castleman, Shea Pryor Castleman, Julia Elizabeth Bell and Elliott Everett Bell and great grandson Wells Pryor Lancaster.
Jessie Fay was born third generation of Cowden Irish immigrants who settled in West Texas, southern New Mexico as ranchers, becoming one of the largest ranching families in Texas. She graduated from Midland High School where she was a formidable tennis player. She would later make her debut with the Minuet Club of Midland. Following Midland High, Jessie Fay went to Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, MA and later graduated from University of Texas in 1961. While at UT she was member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. After graduating she married John Pryor Castleman, Jr. of Midland and settled in St Louis where they had their daughter Pryor McCreery Castleman. She later moved to Dallas, TX in 1965, where she had identical twins, Ballard Oliver and Rives Elliott Castleman. Jessie Fay joined Brook Hollow Golf Club and continued her competitive tennis play, as well as gin rummy and bridge. Jessie Fay and eight other Dallas ladies formed a monthly, Monday day-long poker game. The card ladies’ children would later dub them the “Poker Pigs” as they continued to play until 2022 …almost 50 years later! Jessie Fay married John “Johnny” Paul Tatum on Valentine’s Day in 1990 and continued their famous Valentine’s party for the next 25 years. She was a tennis champion at the Garden of the Gods Club, Colorado, for many years and later loved playing golf at El Dorado Club in Palm Desert, CA, Birnam Wood Club in Montecito, CA, and the Dallas Country Club. As a grandmother of nine lovely grandchildren - she babysat habitually, cherished planning Christmas Eve scavenger hunts and graciously hosted grand vacations with all fifteen family members in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, cruises, and Harbor Springs, MI, to name a few. She loved traveling the world with Johnny, friends and family.
Jessie was involved in many charities and clubs a few being, The Crystal Charity Ball, Junior League of Dallas, Junior League Arts and Antiques Club, the Dallas Women’s Club, the Dallas Garden Club and the Sweetheart Ball.
Jessie Fay’s family shares its immense gratitude and thanks for the many years of care and friendship provided to her by Mary and Mike Mallett, Geraldine Wilson and Sharon Jackson.
In lieu of flowers, please make any contributions to the Center for Brain Health.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 from 3:00 – 6:00 PM at Northwood Club, 6524 Alpha Rd, in Dallas, TX
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