Tatum Renae Martinez

Tatum Renae Martinez was born on January 5, 2001, and died on May 23, 2026, at the age of 25.

In the years she was given, Tatum moved through the world with a fiery passion—someone whose cares for others was not performative, but steady and sincere. She was deeply loved, and the tenderness she carried into everyday life left an imprint that will not be easily put into words, though many will try, because she is worth the trying.

Tatum’s compassion found a clear calling in her work as a social worker. With a heart large enough to hold the worries of others, she chose a path rooted in service—meeting people where they were, offering gentleness in difficult moments, and giving what she could with remarkable kindness.

She married the love of her life, Sean Martinez, and in the circle of family she was a guiding presence. As a big sister, she was the kind who naturally became a second mom—protective, attentive, and softly steady, showing love not only through words but through the daily acts of care that make people feel seen.

Tatum also made room for wonder. She loved playing Dungeons and Dragons with a small group of close friends, where imagination and laughter could gather around a table and become something shared. She delighted in the fantasy genre of books and movies, and held a special affection for Lord of the Rings—a world of fellowship and hope that, in its own way, echoes the way she lived: with warmth, loyalty, and a belief in goodness.

Though her time was far too short, Tatum’s gentle spirit remains—present in the people she loved, the lives she touched, and the quiet lessons she leaves behind about kindness, care, and what it means to be truly beloved.

Tatum is survived by her husband, Sean Martinez; her mother Amanda Mangiacapre and stepfather Andrew Mangiacapre; sisters, Skyy Ivy and Lotus Morris; and grandmother, Susan McDonald. She is preceded in death by great-grandparents David and Joyce Moore, Marvin and Mary-Jo Stang; her grandfather, James Stang; great-aunt, Sandra Stang; great-uncle, Gary Moore; and her uncle Jeremiah Stang.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Hillside Funeral Home West, located at 2929 West 13th Street North Wichita, KS 67203. Committal will immediately follow at Hillside Cemetery, 4800 SW 125th St, Sedgwick, KS 67135.