James "Little Murrell" Tatum, Jr.

James Murrell “Little Murrell” Tatum, Jr., lifelong resident of the Somerville Community and steel industry employee departed this life Friday afternoon, August 16, 2013 at Heber Springs, Arkansas. He was 46 years of age and died unexpectedly of natural causes.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Tatum were conducted at 1 P.M. Wednesday, August 21st at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Shane Porter, Associate Pastor of the Faith Church of God in Somerville officiating. Personal remarks and reflections were given by Darell Kelley and Candice Tatum. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Tatum was born October 1, 1966 in Somerville, the son of James Murrell Tatum, Sr. and Mary Jane Adair Tatum. He received his education in the Fayette County Public School System and was a graduate of Fayette Ware High School in Somerville. He was a lifelong resident of Fayette County and had been employed in the steel industry for a number of years.

Mr. Tatum was a member of the Somerville Church of God and was an avid NASCAR fan throughout his life. He enjoyed outdoor activities that included hunting and fishing and was a family-oriented person. He received much pleasure from being responsible for cleaning and maintaining property clearing on Green Drive in District 15.

Mr. Tatum is survived by his fiancée, Jenny Karcher of Somerville; three daughters, Erica Tatum of Somerville, Courtney McEwen (Matthew) of Memphis, Candice Tatum of Somerville; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Tatum, Sr. of Somerville; and three grandchildren, Cameron Barnes, Mya Faith Tatum and Madison Jones.

Mr. Tatum was preceded in death by his daughter, Ashley Marie Tatum and his brother, Rodney DeWayne Tatum, Sr.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Kristofer Bowers, Allen-Michael Smith, Mario Jones, Tyson Barnes, Rodney Tatum, Mark Cherry, Dave Gill and Henry Jones.
Honorary casketbearers were Charles Tatum, Donald Tatum, Darell Kelley and Willie Jeff Wiles.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the LeBonheur Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 41817, Memphis, TN 38174.