Elmer Francis Tatum

Elmer Francis Tatum, 90 years of age, went to his heavenly home March 11, 2023 at Richlands Hospital. Born July 12, 1932 in Steelsburg, VA. He was the son of the late Fred M. Tatum and Lola Emily Tatum. He was a member of the Pentecostal Faith Temple in Whitewood, Va. He was a USAF veteran having served 1951 to 1973, 22 years for his country. He was in 22 countries and 50 states. After retiring he drove a gravel truck, worked for Valley Air Conditioning in Roanoke, VA. He worked at Jewell Smokeless Coal Co., doing maintenance, such as heating, air conditioning, and electrician. When he retired from Jewell Smokeless he worked for Tatum Heating and Cooling. He enjoyed helping his son with Polar Bear Ice Co. He liked riding his motorcycle, snow skiing, mowing grass, gardening and traveling. But most of all he loved spending time with his family, and he never ran from work. He also liked to go to Richlands and eat out with his friends, the Romeo Boys, which stands for Retired Old Men Eating Out. He will be greatly missed and his memory will live on and treasured by all who were privileged to know him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Clinton Fredrick Tatum, Carl Tatum, Earl Tatum, Clarence Tatum; nephew, Roger Tatum; daughter-in-law, Angie Rose Tatum; and son-in-law, Larry Mitchell. Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife whom he shared 65½ years of marriage with, Juanita Maxwell Tatum of Whitewood, VA; daughter, Debbie Mitchell of Cedar Bluff, VA; son, Freddie Tatum of Pilgrims Knob, VA; 2 granddaughters, Emili Grace Tatum of Pilgrims Knob, VA; Holli Shana Hicks and husband, Cory of Folkston, GA; 1 great grandson, William Jace Hicks; 1 great granddaughter, Tatum Rose Hicks. The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff of Richlands Hospital, ICU for their care and devotion to Elmer. Funeral services for Elmer Francis Tatum will be conducted Friday, March 17, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with the Rev. Troy Lester and Rev. Clyde Wimmer officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Virginia. Pallbearers will be Charlie Maxwell, Jimmy Tatum, Robert Tatum, Roger Vandyke, Terry Maxwell, Tommy Compton, Billy Moore, Richard Vandyke, Adam Looney, Wayne Tatum, Randy Maxwell, and Robbie Maxwell. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Bundy, Eugene Maxwell, Keith Maxwell, James Maxwell, Joe Maxwell, Lowell Cole, Ronnie Drumheller, RC Cole, and Darrell Maxwell. The Tatum family will receive friends from 6-9 pm on Thursday evening at the funeral home. The Richlands Masonic Lodge #318 AF & AM will conduct a masonic service on Thursday night at 7:00 pm. The Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 will conduct military rites. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of services and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Elmer Francis Tatum

July 12, 1932 - March 11, 2023