Patricia Norman Tatum

December 10, 1927 - May 15, 2023

Patricia Norman Tatum was born in Houston, Texas on December 10, 1927 to James Hubert Norman and Marian Edwards Norman. Her sister, Thyra Jacquelyn Norman was born the year before.

Patricia had an unusual childhood. Her father passed away when she was three years old, and she attended several schools before graduating from Berkeley High School in 1945. Pat wanted to be an actress and performed in the Ashland Shakespearean Festival while she was in college. Although she began as a Physical Education Major, she graduated as a History Major in 1951.

Patricia first met Richard Tatum when they were three and five years old when her aunt, Thelma Marshall, took them to the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. After meeting as adults, Richard and Pat eloped to Champagne, Illinois and married on September 19, 1951. After Richard served in the U.S. Air Force, they both attended San Francisco State and received their Teaching Credentials in 1955.

Pat and Richard moved to Los Angeles where their daughters Marian Elizabeth Tatum and Michelle Eileen Tatum were born. The Tatums of California traveled extensively throughout the United States. A special highlight was when the family toured Europe for seven months and returned five years later.

Pat and Richard entertained often. They entertained out of town family and many friends and colleagues. They belonged to the Easter Club, and Pat belonged to the Women, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., among other organizations.

Pat worked as an educator for the Los Angeles Unified School District for twenty-eight years. While teaching she taught 3rd and 5th grades (her favorites), was a reading specialist, mentor and a school librarian. Patricia Tatum retired from teaching in 1984 and was well thought of by her peers.

And retire she did! Upon retirement, she volunteered as a docent at the California Afro-American Museum, and the Police Department, and began her deep association with Oriental rugs. Pat started off as a student, and in a remarkably short period of time she was teaching others how to make rugs, and had her own business.

Pat and Richard continued to travel to many countries around the world. Richard Tatum passed away in September, 1994. They had been married almost 43 years. In time, Pat continued her travels. This time her travel included archeological digs in Turkey, Spain and Northern England. She also traveled to Thailand, China, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

In 2005, Patricia joined her family in Maryland. She lived in the Collington Life Care Community and was involved with the Flower Committee, the Collington Choir, Black History Month and many other activities. She continued to attend many live performances and was known for being the resident puzzle expert.

Patricia Tatum has been an inspiration to many people. She always a championed the underdog. Being able to share her love for exploration and adventure was her special gift. She introduced many to rug making, golf and solving puzzles.

Patricia Norman Tatum is survived by her two daughters, Marian E. Tatum-Webb and Michelle E. Tatum, grandchildren, Gregory Warren Webb and Natalie Elyse Webb, and great grandson Marley Maxwell Webb. She leaves behind nieces and nephews, Hubert Norman Jackson, Randall C. Morgan (Karen Morgan), Robert T. Tatum, Jr. (Jannie Tatum), Pauline B. Tatum, and Ria Trufant. She also leaves various grand nieces and nephews, Sharon Robinson(Keith Robinson), Laura Morgan Roberts, Carla Green, Ari Winbush and Meko Winbush (Albert Winbush), and Charlotte Tatum. She will also be missed by extended family and friends.