Marian was born on March 29, 1942, in Odessa and grew up in Monahans, a place she would always consider home. She attended Principia School as a boarding student during her high school years before graduating from McMurry University. Marian dedicated many years to teaching American children overseas through the Department of Defense school system in multiple foreign countries.
In 1973, Marian married the love of her life, John Tatum. Together they continued their military life for four more years before returning to Monahans, where they took over her family business, Meaders Butane Company, later known as Meaders and Tatum. John preceded her in death in 1999.
Marian was a devoted mother to her children, John Ty Tatum and K'Lee Tatum Skaug, and a proud grandmother to her three grandchildren, who brought immense joy to her life. She spent much of her life supporting her children in their many endeavors and was always their biggest encourager.
She found happiness in life’s simple pleasures — spending time with her little dogs, walking with friends, playing card games, and being surrounded by family. Marian was known for her generous and kind heart, her unwavering willingness to help others, and her habit of welcoming strangers in need with open arms. Her warmth, compassion, and zest for life touched everyone who knew her.
Marian was preceded in death by her husband, John Willie Tatum; her son, John Ty Tatum; and her parents, Edgar and Elizabeth (Moore) Meaders.
She is survived by her daughter, K’Lee Elizabeth Tatum Skaug, and son-in-law, Jorgen Skaug; her grandchildren, John Henrik Skaug, Aksel Ingar Skaug, and Eleanor Paige Tatum; her daughter-in-law, Patricia (Tauzin) Tatum; as well as many beloved members of the Tatum family and dear friends, young and old.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 11, 2026 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church Garden Chapel, 825 E. Basse Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209. An inurnment will take place in Monahans Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Allison Brett Bolte, R. L. (Dick) Dobie III, Randy Pipkin, Aksel Skaug, Henrik Skaug, Jorgen Skaug, and Larry Tatum.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741; Poquita Paws Rescue, PO Box 6742, 1107 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78209; or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, ATTN: Michael Swyer 199 Water Street, 11th Floor New York, NY 10038.
Her family and friends will forever cherish the love, guidance, and kindness she shared so freely throughout her life.
