1943 - 2026
Arrangements
Saturday, April 11, 2026
The Official Minutes
of a Life Well Lived
10:00 AM Notes Review
11:00 AM Her Final Entry
MASON TEMPLE CHURCH of GOD in CHRIST
6098 N. 35th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Interment
Wisconsin Memorial Park
13235 west Capitol drive
in Brookfield, Wisconsin
missionary
Joann Tatum
Memorial
Programme
Legacy Memories of
Deacon Marvin H. Tatum
and Joann Tatum
Tributes of Love
MOMMA As much as it hurt me to see you take your last breath, I know how overwhelmed with joy you were to see me take my first one. So many lessons, memories, phone calls everyday, vacations, scolding’s, and words of encouragement. I Thank you and appreciate it all. I know how much you wanted to run and be free! Now you can . . . I LOVE you beyond measure momma and I miss you, I Miss you, I Miss You, I MISS YOU. Breathe Baby Girl, run as fast as you can I LOVE YOU - CLAY
DEAR MOM Dear Mom, I don’t really know how to begin this, because there’s so much I want to say and not enough words to hold it all. Thank you—for everything. For the love you gave me when I didn’t even know how to ask for it, for the sacrifices you made that I’m only now starting to understand, and for the strength you showed even on the days when things felt impossible. You’ve been my first home, my first teacher, and my constant, even when life pulled us in different directions. I know I haven’t always said what I should have, or shown my appreciation the way you deserved. But please know that your presence in my life shaped who I am in ways I’ll carry forever. The lessons, the memories, even the difficult moments—they all matter to me. As I say goodbye, I don’t want it to feel like an ending, but rather a quiet acknowledgment of everything we’ve been to each other. You’ll always be a part of me, in the way I think, the way I love, and the way I face the world. I know that God was waiting on you with open arms upon completion of your earthly tasks. Please tell my father that I love him and I will see both of you in the morning. I love you Momma, With love, always, Scott
FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT JoAnn's Legacy In Loving Memory ofJoAnn Clay Tatum My sister JoAnn, one of Mark and Blanche Clay's 15 children, was born second in our large clan. She was a very strong-willed child the Bible says we must be born twice: first naturally, then spiritually by the Holy Spirit. As a teenager, she accepted Christ Jesus. She gave her soul to Him and was washed and cleansed by His precious blood. We sisters and brothers witnessed her beautiful transformation as she gave her heart, mind, body, and soul to Christ. As His ambassador, JoAnn became a very loving and kind servant of the Lord. She shone as a bright light in this world. For this, she fought the good fight against the darkness of the world. God planted her here for us to see, bringing glory and honor to Him. She walked up the King's Highway, graciously entering Heaven's gates with joy. Bye, my beautiful sister. Joy, joy God's great joy! Rest in heavenly peace. Safe in His arms forever. Will I be ready when Jesus comes? With Love- Deana
I'D LIKE TO THANK GOD and my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for the privilege of knowing and being loved by Joann. Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that fears the Lord she shall be praised. Proverbs 30:31. Joe is what we called her she was both our natural and spiritual sister I believe Joe was the st one in our family to get saved in her very early adult life she changed from her old sinful ways to obey the will of God. Joe introduced me to a better way of life the only way of life most of my life all I've ever known of her was a sanctified godly life. A diehard COGIC old school teachings of holiness or hill she had strong convictions and didn't mind telling anyone the truth Joe was very meticulous paying close attention to precise details about appearance motives and actions. And if you think Joe was strict and uncompromising just wait till you get to heaven if you plan to go God is the epitome of uncompromising holiness to the extent that we will need new bodies to live there Joe and I will kindred spirits after I got saved I don't remember an argument with her she lives so far away and we will always glad to see each other. Joe's life spoke for itself a woman of faith she not only prayed for people but she was the arms and legs of God so to speak when she saw a need she fulfilled it. Joe was working until the very end even in her illness secretary Sunday school teacher and many many resolutions and the list goes on giving of her resources to all Joe was our Earth Angel missionary ambassador of the Kingdom of heaven sent to help share the good news of salvation for all she encouraged me and all trying to bring peace and unity informing all of the needs of others and enlisting our help and sometimes insisting we helpedJoe was working until the very end even in her illness secretary Sunday school teacher and many many resolutions and the list goes on giving of her resources to all Joe was our Earth Angel missionary ambassador of the Kingdom of heaven sent to help share the good news of salvation for all she encouraged me and all trying to bring peace and unity informing all of the needs of others and enlisting our help and sometimes insisting we help. Another link in the grand chain is gone but more alive than ever healed happy and joyful. Joe and Marvin shared life together on earth now they are in their heavenly home in the presence of God and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ to joe's boy's and grands, she wants to see you there in heaven family and friends get ready and stay ready she wants to see you there. Let us glean from her good examples Joe may have been small in stature but she had a significant and substantial presence I love you Joanne those words are not adequate enough to express how I feel sleep on Joanne take your rest receive your Crown I'll see you in the morning I love you Dearly your sister Kathy
GRANNY Today, we gather to honor and celebrate the life of my granny. Granny taught me so much about life. She showed me how to be strong, how to love even when people don’t deserve it, and most of all how to keep going even when things get hard. It’s hard to imagine life without her here, but knowing that her love is still with me keeps me going. Thank you granny for everything you’ve ever done for me and always making sure that I’m okay. All the laughs we shared, the memories we’ve created I will never forget. I will miss you dearly. I love you - your granddaughter Skyy
JOANN'S JOURNEY My name is Thomas. I am Joann's oldest living brother. I am here today as an earthly witness of Joann's journey to Christ. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young adult. Since then, she was guided by her Love of the Lord and the Love of her family. I thank God she met and married her husband, Marvin, who was deserving of her love and held her hand throughout their journey together, all these many years. Bless you Joann, rest in peace. I Love you!
WHO TOLD US? Who told us Jesus loves us? Who told us there was a better way? Who told us of things coming our way? And that God will Wipe out tears away? Joann Tatum told/taught us through Easter and Christmas speeches, plays and great 1329 events (Tom Thumb weddings, holiday parties that are emblazed in our memories and hearts) Joann Tatum challenged us to learn the books of the Bible and Bible verses, that I find myself repeating even now when I need comfort. It was nothing to find one of us diligently trying to recite the Bible verses or the books of the Bible after church service waiting to be rewarded with the Word of God but Snickers bars and gum. Our life now is sweet because of your many life lessons (Sunday school and watching how you lived your life) Thank you only scratches the surface… Always in my heart Patrice (Baby Girl)
TO MY GOD MOTHER I may not remember the exact moment our bond began, but I believe the connection started when I was a flower girl in your wedding at 4 years old. Your house was always my go-to for weekend sleepovers (I’d stand on the bed behind you brushing your hair) & after church dinner (I can still hear you saying “no drink until all of your food is gone”). The love we had was chosen, and that makes my love for you even more special. Mama Jo, when I needed you, you answered (I remember the time you asked me where exactly I was while driving home from Memphis. The next thing I know, you’d called a nearby hotel & paid for a room because you were concerned about me being on the road that late at night). When I needed wisdom, you gave it. And when I needed advice, whether I wanted to hear it or not, you made sure I got that too. I am going to miss you so dearly. You understood me in a way that meant so much. Just two weeks ago, during one of our weekly talks, you told me you understood why God placed me in your life, because we were the same in how we felt moving through this world. I will carry those words with me. I will never forget the love you gave to Chrisondra and I when she was born you were there with her “go home outfit”. You loved & poured into us as if we were your own, and that kind of love stays with a person forever. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for choosing me. & most of all, Thank you for always making me feel like I belonged. I know the place we held in your heart, and you will forever hold a place in ours. I pray you knew just how deeply I loved & appreciated you and Uncle Marvin. Don’t worry about us, we will be fine. I’ll look after my brothers. You can breathe easy now. I know you are resting in the Lord’s arms. We will miss you always, Sandra | The original Lady Bug & Chrisondra (or as Uncle Marvin called me, Tweety Bird)
NOT ENOUGH WORDS There aren't enough words to encompass the imprint she left on my life Her love, wisdom and insight was invaluable, which continues to influence my everyday life You tipped out on me, but will catch you later, love Ladybug Tracy
TRIBUTE TO MISSIONARY JOANN TATUM It is with reverence and gratitude that the Wisconsin Northwest Jurisdiction Department of Women honor the life and legacy of Missionary Joann Tatum, a devoted servant of the Lord, a mother in Zion, and a faithful Executive Secretary who served with dignity and excellence for more than 30 years. She was a woman of order, wisdom, and great humility. Though she never sought recognition, her work always spoke for her. With diligence and grace, she carried out her responsibilities faithfully, ensuring that the business of the Women’s Department was conducted with excellence and integrity. It was with a calm demeanor, kind heart, and steady faith that she served during the administrations of Jurisdictional Supervisor Ernestine Tatum and Supervisor Grace Harris. She worked diligently behind the scenes, ensuring that the work of the Women’s Department operated with order, precision, and grace. Her hands kept the records, her wisdom guided the process, and her spirit helped carry the vision forward. On behalf of Dr. Grace Davis-Harris and the Department of Women we celebrate a life well lived, a race well run, and a servant who remained at her post until the Lord called her home. Well done, Mother Joann Tatum. Rest in His peace.
WHEN YOUR GENERAL LEAVES Many people are beholden to the lives that have transformed them, trained them, received them and undergirded them when the battle of life seems the thickest. Often taken for granted, that their steady presence would always be in place, we are reminded that death itself is no respecter of persons. This is that. As an 18 year old girl, you took me and my son into your embodiment of love and never looked back. Now 46, 28 years later, I fully understand your mission and purpose, and the overflow of pure quintessential love that flowed into every life that would receive you. Odd, I don’t have a single picture of me and you together Lady, but the hundreds, thousands of conversations in which poured in a little more each time we spoke. We laughed together, cried together and worked together on so many department projects, it is there in which I saw your immeasurable love in action. Everyone was ladybug, sugar lump (or sugar plum), honey, dear but I was Lacey Ann Marie. You just made up a middle name for me. You exuded excellence in every thought, every creative endeavor and every plan you wanted executed excellently. You taught me so many of the ropes and how to take a licking and keep on ticking. You were my general, you loved our God, and you indeed prepared yourself for these days. I can not but carry you with me, even when I moved on to other vineyards, you ensured your reach and love was always there, and for that there are not words, just honor that pours from my spirit in these heavy days of life without you. God makes no errors, and I’m sure he knows how heavy, dark and unkind the world would seem once you were standing in his majestic presence. I miss you lady. You were indeed a mother to me, but my God Lady, you became my friend and co-laborer in the Gospel. I can’t even remember all the funerals we’ve planned and worked on together and to do this one without you, was one of the biggest reality checks life can hand anyone. So with what you have given me nearly 30 years, I give back in honor, homage and esteem. Who is like Joann Tatum? And Who will fill this chasmic void you have left? None, it will take 10 of us, just to scratch the surface of your flow. I thank God for the opportunity to have come into your love, your training and your undying witness of being a true servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You Made It! You made heaven a little bit more real than it ever had been before, because if no one made it to heaven, you Lady did indeed. I love you, I Love you, I Love You, I LOVE You - I LOVE YOU and I will always stand in salute of my General, Sister Jo. Your Daughter - Lacey Ann Marie.
Missionary
Joann Tatum
Her Final Entry
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The Family of
Sister Joann Tatum
