James Robert Tatum,

James Robert Tatum, Sr.

Son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, provider, strong, intelligent, traveler, photographer, teacher, collector of things.

Born on March 31st, 1933 in Montrose, Mississippi to Robert Lamar and Lela Mae Tatum. He was first of three boys with brothers John and Joe to follow. His whole life he would be called Bob.

When Bob was a young teenager the family moved from Montrose to Birmingham to open Tatum’s Bakery in Homewood. He worked at the bakery helping the family. He also was a photographer for the Shades Valley Sun newspaper located in Homewood. This would be the beginning of a life-long love of photography.

He attended Shades Valley High School. This is where he met his future wife, Mildred Ann Scott. The love of his life! She was beautiful and had the voice of an angel. Together they started the Thespian Troupe while at Shades Valley High School, an official school group or club that acts as an honor society for theater students. This would lead to an amazing life of performing and singing for both of them. Many of those performances at Town and Gown Theater.

Bob and Mildred Ann were married on September 26th, 1952 in Birmingham Alabama at the age of 19. They settled into married life, at first, living with her parents at 504 Forest Drive in Homewood.

Bob was drafted into the Army on February 8th, 1954. He was 21. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division and was honorably discharged on February 9th, 1956. At that time, they moved back to Homewood. He went to work at American Bridge Corporation as a draftsman. She continued to work as a secretary.

Later that same year, in September, they would welcome their first born, Robbie. Bob would receive a new name, Dad. ” In May of 1958, they would welcome their second son, Steve.

In the 1960’s, Bob worked for Mutual Of Omaha selling life insurance. He finished his working career at Rust Engineering where he helped start the first Automated Computer Drafting Department.

After retirement, Bob focused on filming weddings, school and church performances. He filmed miles and miles of grandsons playing football!

Together Bob and Ann loved to travel. Italy, Alaska, Sweden, Switzerland, France & Scotland, as well as many cruises. Mostly traveling with Ann’s beloved sister, Evelyn and her husband Joe Anderson who lived in Florida. He made lots of videos and photographs of their travels as well. As a family, we made many trips to Disney World in Florida. The Miami family would join us on those trips too.

Highlands United Methodist Church on the Southside of Birmingham would be their home church. They both sang in the choir and helped with many of the Boarshead Performances. It was a Christmas program of exceptional quality.

They were blessed with five grandchildren – Wendy, Ginger, Scott, Christina and John. Enter a new Name – Grandfather! Papaw. He always loved computers. While the grandchildren were young and would visit them in their home, he would be on his computer. The grandkids would stop to see what he was doing and almost always touch the computer screen with their fingers. He would say, “ Don’t get chicken grease on my computer!” It was never chicken grease, but fingerprints left behind as those curious little fingers tried to figure out what he was doing.

They were also blessed with twelve great-grandchildren! Brady, Tatum, Ashlyn, Noah, Cadence, Tyler, Anna, Reece, Quinn, Lucy, Elijah and Maddox. Enter a new name, “GreatGrandfather!

To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Take your favorite memory of your Papaw and carry it with you! And, hopefully, HIS fingerprints on Your heart!

His beautiful wife passed on October 24th, 2013. As a tribute to her, he visited the cemetery where she is buried every month on the 24th. He would talk to her and sing, The Lord’s Prayer. Those visits continued until April 24th, 2026.

James Robert Tatum, Sr. Passed into eternal life on July 29th, 2026 at the age of 93. 

Proceeded in death by: Father – Robert Lamar Tatum, Mother – Lela Mae Lightsey Tatum, Brothers- John Tatum and Joe Tatum Mildred Ann Scott Tatum – Beloved wife of 60 years. 

Dad, Papaw, Bob May You Rest In Peace! Now and Forever

Thanks for the fingerprints you left on our hearts!

John 3:16 KJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son. That whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.