Barbara Ann Tatum

The beautiful and sweet life of Barbara Ann Stitt Tatum came to a close on Thursday April 23, 2015. At her passing she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and the familiar voices that she had never forgotten. For 57 years Barbara Ann lived her life in contentment, peace and love. She dealt with bad days, obstacles, ups and downs with courage knowing that behind every dark cloud lies a silver lining. Barbara was born on September 20, 1957, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas to the union of Leroy and Hattie Mae Smith Stitt. She grew up in a home filled with an abundance of love, laughter and good times. Coming from a very large family of sisters and brothers she really didn’t need a lot of friends, but she always possessed a warm and friendly spirit. “Barbara Ann” as she was commonly known joined church at an early age and was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. A. W. Terry. She was a 1976 graduate of Arkadelphia Sr. High School. It was there she made lasting bonds and excelled as a student. She was a Lady of Light with the ArabianKnights. Shortly after her gradation she moved Michigan and attended Beauty College. She wanted to be a cosmetologist or as she would put it “fix hair”. She later moved back to Arkansas and continued in her studies and later received her cosmetology license. She took great pride in this accomplishment and would jokingly fuss often at her sisters for always wanting the latest styles or a jerry curl every other week. She grew up to be a fun-loving and nurturing young lady who loved children. She met and married Leslie Tatum. This union produced two healthy children, DeShane and Enjola. Her children were her pride and joy. She believed in getting an education and instilled in her children the value of hard work. Her home was a place of love and welcome. Barbara Ann was a former employee of Pactiv in Malvern and united with First Missionary Baptist Church, Rockport under the leadership of Rev. J. N. McCollum. She would often attend First Baptist Church, Vine. She would witness where she could, when she could. After the passing of her beloved mother Hattie Mae, Barbara took the reigns as commander in chief of the family. The strength she inherited from her mother enabled her to be a supportive figure in the lives of many. Barbara Ann was an outstanding cook and was a no-non-sense woman. She enjoyed the simple things life offered and the nicer things, as well, from time to time. Her smile, hearty laugh and warm embrace will be missed, but never forgotten. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Curry and Dorothy Beaver; and her brothers, Robert Stitt, Charlie Stitt, Joe Stitt, Charles Page and Essie “Dock” Page. Because love is greater than death her memories will live forever in the hearts of her husband, Leslie Tatum of Malvern, AR; her children, DeShane M. Tatum of Benton, AR and Enjola K. Tatum (Jermaine Snulligan) of Benton, AR; her grandchildren, Jeremiah Snulligan, Kenyon Snulligan, Jaleel Snulligan and Simone Snulligan all of Benton, AR; her sisters, Alfreda (Rudolph) Mays-Garland of Arkadelphia, Jennifer Hendrix of Benton, AR, Kimberly Hendrix of Arkadelphia, LaTreka Stitt of Hot Springs, Kristi (Fabian) Newborn of Sherwood, AR; her brothers, Charles Neal Stitt of Dallas, TX, Leo (Vicki) Hendrix of Arkadelphia and LaTraze Stitt of Arkadelphia, AR; her god-sister, Gloria (Gill) Gilstrap of St. Louis, MO; an aunt, Lucille Smith of Mt. Pine, AR; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Stitt of Ypsilanti, MI, and Gisela Stitt of Koblenz, Germany; broterhs-in-law, Steve Tatum, Gerald Tatum and James Terry Tatum; her best friends “ace boon-coons” Ethel Pride of Little Rock, AR, Diana Carey of Olathe, KS and Vivian Bush of LaGrange, OH and a special niece, Kennisha Knox, other beloved nieces; nephews A home going celebration is planned for 1pm on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Rev Chet Hart, pastor of First Baptist Vine in Malvern will officiate and burial will follow at Helms Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 noon until 7pm on Friday, May 1, 2015 and the family will receive friends from 6-7pm You may send cards c/o of Williams Funeral Home|P O Box 325|Arkadelphia, AR 71923. The family will be at the home of Rudolph and Alfreda Garland in Arkadelphia.