Sylvia Marie Tatum

She was a gentle soul who had a ready smile for everyone she saw and rarely complained. She was an amazing mom, a loving grandmother and a loyal friend. She never went to bed at night without saying "I love you". She finished every phone conversation with her children with an "I love you".

As a longtime member of Woodland Christian Church, She served as a Deaconess.

When Sylvia was younger, she lovingly created beautiful ceramic pieces and took joy in presenting them as gifts to friends and family. She enjoyed sewing and took pride in making clothes for her three children. She also loved gardening and playing dominos.

During the holiday season she delighted in making appearances as Ms. Claus. She attended holiday parties for needy children and visited charity hospitals to hand out toys to sick children.

She was the perfect Ms. Claus and the children's eyes would light up the moment they saw her.

For the past four years, while living with her daughter, Charlotte, and son-in-law, Ralph, she enjoyed spending her days in her porch rocker watching the ducks and birds, the walkers and bicyclists. She delighted in watching the fishermen who frequented the lake and would get so excited when one of them caught a fish. Sometimes she would clap her hands to congratulate them. She waved at anyone and everyone who passed by the house.

Her daily routine, included having a little glass of wine, which may have contributed to her longevity. When her doctor told her it was OK to have a glass a day, she was delighted and looked forward to happy hour at exactly 4pm each day. If we happened to get busy and did not notice the time, she would stare at us until we realized it was time to pour her wine. She would hold up her glass and say to Ralph, "where's yours"? She would expect a special toast each day so we would have to get creative by saying "here's to the first day of Spring or here's to Thursday", etc. She loved margaritas too and once a year we would celebrate her birthday with a margarita at Willie's Ice House. She loved the place and called it "Happy Willie's".

The neighbors became accustomed to seeing her in her rocking chair and all looked for her every day. After a while, most would greet her with a "hi Mom". It seemed that everyone adopted her as their mom.

Even the lawn crew would stop and wave to her. She was loved by so many as evidenced by the number of cards and notes the family has received. Most say "she was an angel and we will miss her beautiful smile and we will miss seeing her sitting in her rocking chair waving as we pass by."

Sylvia Marie Tatum born in Center, Texas on April 30, 1922.

Proceeded in death by her Husband, Frank Tatum, Father, George O. Rivers: Mother, Louise Hickman Rivers; Sister, Esther Della Rivers; Sister, Norman Lee Rivers; Brother, George O. Rivers, Jr.; Brother, Chester W. Rivers; Sister, Mamie Lou Putman.

Sylvia leaves behind:

3 children:

Son, Jimmy Dwayne Tatum and his significant other Kay Lyon- Houston, Tx

Daughter, Charlotte Ann Hayes and husband Ralph- Cypress, Tx

Daughter, Diana Lynn Tatum- Hempstead, Tx

3 Grandchildren:

Melissa Kay Hebbel

Laurie Tatum

Lana Staleski

5 Great-Grandchildren:

Taylor Stuart

Roger Greenhaw

Jason Greenhaw

Luke Lewis

Sabrina Hebbel

1 Great Great granddaughter

Rylan Stuart

She also leaves behind a number of nieces and nephews