ALLAN TATUM

GERTY-Services for Allan Lowell Tatum, 84, Gerty, are 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Harmony Baptist Church in Gerty, Rev. David Wilbanks will officiate. Burial will follow at Gerty Cemetery. The Chickasaw Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the cemetery. Family and friends may call at the Allen Chapel from 10:00 a.m. Wednesday until service time.

Mr. Tatum died Sunday, April 26, 2009 at his home. He was born January 4, 1925 at Valliant, Oklahoma to Emmitt and Rachel James Tatum. He attended Valliant schools. He moved from California to Gerty in 1959.

He married Linda Frances Wheeler on February 22, 1969 at Non, Oklahoma. Mr. Tatum was self-employed in the dry-wall and carpenter business. He was of the Baptist faith and had served in the U. S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Tatum, of the home; four children, June Wilson, Gerty, Gayle Morris, Texas, Alton Tatum and wife Judy, Gerty, and Becky Powell, Savanna; two brothers, John Thomas Tatum and wife JoElla, Gerty and Clifford Tatum and wife Twila, Gerty; two sisters, Joy Evans, Ada, and June McClain, Redding, California; 13 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Allan Tatum, Jr., three brothers, Oscar "Coot" Tatum, Emmitt Tatum, Jr., and Billy Wayne Tatum; and three sisters, Joyce Darlene Tatum, Jeanette Rippee, and Letta Mae Roebuck.

Bearers will be Jerry Wilson, Gerald Wilson, David Wilson, Lance Wilson, Juan Allan Tatum, and Lynn Powell. Honorary bearers will be Chad Edwards, Anthony Muck, Melvin Muck, Terry Turner, Stuart Strain, Lonnie Dockery, and Denny Guffy.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada