Lois Maxine Tatum

Lois Maxine Lester Tatum was born on February 15, 1933, to the late Ezra Lester and Vida T. Whiten in Jonesville, Texas, where she accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at James Chapel Baptist Church in Harrison County. She had ten siblings that she loved dearly.

She graduated from G.W. Carver High School in Karnack, Texas, and went on to receive her Associate Degree from Mountainview Junior College in Dallas, Texas, where she worked for Texas Instruments for over 30 years as a Quality Control Technician until her retirement in 1993.

She was united in marriage to Johnnie Tatum, Jr. in 1949, in Marshall, Texas. To this union, one son was born.

After moving to Dallas in the early 50s, Mrs. Tatum joined Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, where she taught Bible School for the Children’s Ministry for over 35 years. She received numerous appreciation awards for her efforts.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ezra and Vida Lester; sisters: Fannie B. Cole, Tommie D. Singleton, Dorothy Evans and Doris Herod; and brothers, Charles Lester and Murray Lester.

Those left to cherish her precious memories are her husband of 65 years, Johnnie Tatum, Jr.; son, Barry Tatum (Rigoletta); grandchildren, Aziza Hunter and Erica Tatum; great-grandchildren, Ramon Goens, Jr., Aaliya McGowan and Shane Scott; sisters, Oneida Johnson, Frankie Lester and Essie B. Taylor; brother, William Howard (Lu Nell) Lester; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.