Charles Howard Tatum

Charles Howard Tatum, 84, of White Oak, North Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at home. He was born in White Oak, North Carolina, on August 6, 1940.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Fletcher Tatum, Sr., and Gussie Lee Colvin Tatum; a brother John Fletcher Tatum, Jr.; a brother Edsel Tatum; the mother of his children Onlee Smith Tatum; a son in law Eric Cortes, a brother-in-law, Ronnie Norris and a nephew, John Wayne Tatum.

Charles, better known as Tater Bug, leaves behind to cherish his memory, son Allan Tatum (fiancé Kelly Lanier) of Elizabethtown, North Carolina;, daughter, Mary Cortes of Richlands, North Carolina; one grandchild Ethen Cortes; brother Robert (Bobby) Colvin Tatum (Mickey) Elizabethtown, North Carolina; sisters Elizabeth (Liz) Tatum Norris of Elizabethtown, North Carolina and Faye Tatum Freeman (Elvin) of Fairmont, North Carolina; step daughters Lisa Turner, Denise Cashwell and Donna Shores; six step grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews and friends as well as special friends Jerry Edge, Lee Owens, Kelvin Flannery (girlfriend Nicole) and Howard Owens.

Charles attended White Oak High School (Class of 1958) and served in the United States Army for three years. He received a degree in welding and was a well-known welder and gardener. Many of the residents in Bladen County benefitted from his gardening expertise. He took great delight in sharing his okra and cherry tomatoes. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3131 M.L.K. Drive, Elizabethtown, North Carolina. 

A graveside service will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at the West Family Cemetery, NC Highway 53 West, White Oak, North Carolina. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Family Cemetery Fund, c/o Susan Pope, 532 Woods Walk Lane, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804. 

Those of you who knew Charles Howard know that he was just like you saw him - not pretentious. Therefore, we ask that you come to the visitation and/or the service in casual dress. 

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