Hilda L. Tatum

She was born on August 13, 1921 in Concho County, TX, to William "Willie" Courtney Stephens and Frances Turner Stephens. Hilda married George Ollie Tatum on October 23, 1940 in Comanche, TX. They had 10 children and enjoyed nearly 60 years together.

Hilda's hobbies included sewing, quilting, embroidering, reading, and traveling. Later in life, she became interested in genealogy. Without the use of computers to do research, Hilda collected enough data on the Stephens' family and had a book published.

She attended a Baptist church and loved to see the whole family there. Besides being a housewife, Hilda was a professional seamstress, teacher's aide, substitute teacher, and worked in the post office. She also worked in several factories making heart-shaped candy boxes, clocks/watches, and land mines for the Army. Too, Hilda studied and obtained her real estate broker license.

She loved playing various games, especially canasta. Just mention a game and she was shuffling the cards. As the children grew older and left home, Hilda and Ollie travelled every chance they got. She has been in 8 countries, 27 states, and all of the 254 counties in Texas.

After the passing of husband, Ollie, Hilda spent much time with her widowed aunt, Irene ("Peat"), in Hewitt TX. These competitive women, not only reminisced about their early childhood/school years, but also played many games such as dominoes, cards, chicken foot, yatzee, and farkle for hours on end.

Hilda had a full and blessed life. She loved being with family and friends and hosted the annual Tatum campout each spring. She was quick to lend a helping hand and will be greatly missed.

Services were held Saturday, July 9, 2016, 3 PM at Riley Funeral Home Chapel and burial followed in Gentry's Mill Cemetery in Hamilton Co. in the community where they lived and raised their family. A visitation was held before the service from 1-3 PM.

Preceding Hilda in death are her parents, Willie and Frances Stephens, husband, Ollie Tatum, son, John Tatum, grandson Ty Tatum, four sisters, Alda Stevens, Edith Springman, Janice Churchill, and Bonnie Ruth Troutt, and brother, Ted Stephens.

Survivors include: Daughters, Deritha (Dee) Davis and husband, Jerome, of Colleyville, Kathryn Culbertson, and husband, Leslie, of Benbrook, Deborah Sauer and husband, Jack, of Plano, Georgia Arms and husband, Larry, of Briar Cliff, and Vicki Truss and husband, Travis, of Stephenville, and Daughter-in-law, Marian Tatum of San Antonio.

Sons, Herbert Tatum and wife, Betty, of Saginaw, Larry Tatum and wife, Alena, of Hamilton, Timothy Tatum of Merkel, Ricky Tatum and wife, Robin, of Stephenville. Along with her dearly loved 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.