Earnestine Tatum

Earnestine was born November 22, 1927 in Purden, Tennessee to Annie Mae Mitchell and Wiley L. Mabry. Born unto parents who lived lives of faith, Earnestine came into this world embraced in the arms of our lord Jesus Christ. She never left him.

Her parents and two siblings, Jaunita, and William Mabry would move to Morristown Tennessee, after the passing of her father. Her mother would eventually remarry. Her second husband, would also proceed her mother in death. Through that union, Earnestine would gain five more sisters Claire, Ruby, Joyce, Shirley, Lee, and two more brothers Oscar and Edward Greene.

As adults her brothers and sisters would each leave the home of their mother, move to new cities, and start their lives. Earnestine would follow Jaunita to Detroit, Michigan. There she would meet and marry her husband, Seth Tatum. From that day forward they were one.

They would buy a home in the city and a cottage on the lake. Making memories with family and friends. They opened a diner. Earnestine prepared food for the soul like no other. The aromas of her cooking invited you in. Her smile and grace brought you back for more. Seth operated a successful trucking company, Tatum’s Trucking. Together they prospered.

Sunday was church, and ladies arrived in their Sunday best. A Fur in the winter. A shawl in the spring. A purse, a hat and white gloves. It was the times. A lady needed to know how to dress. She instilled that in her children and grandchildren. Earnestine was a lady. A lady adored by her husband.

Sunday was dinner at home, shared with family and friends, served on fine china and polished silver. Memories were made. Seth lived a long life, and would precede Earnestine in death. She was by his side. Together they raised two children, William and Sheila. William too would live a long life, and proceed his mother in death. Through the unions of her children, Earnestine was the proud grandmother, to Tamika, Tamela, Tyrone, Leigh, and Shirley and great-grandmother to Heaven, and Londyn.

Her siblings having lived long lives, Jaunita, William, Ruby, Shirley, Lee and Oscar would proceed Earnestine in death. She leaves Claire, Joyce and her brother Edward to shine her light and lives their life well. Not written here today, but not forgotten are the spouses of each, those living and those departed who enriched her life.

Honoring mothers wishes, though painful this may be. She made this decision out of love.

A Homegoing Service will not be held. Her wish for us was to stay well. To honor her life, not by gathering in her name, but by sharing her light, and to make memories with the people God gave us to love.

Earnestine will rest eternally by her husband’s side at Woodlawn Cemetery
19975 Woodward Ave Detroit MI

To Honor an Elegant Lady You Rise

Born in the mist of turbulent times
She lived She loved She shared She shined
She filled space with light
To honor an elegant lady you rise
White gloves and a hat
Head held high
Her purse full of hopes and dreams
She cooked like a chef,
And stitched like a tailor
While Dressed to the nines ….Always
Her soul adorned in stately wise
With eyes up she smiles
Her heart fashioned in grace
Always she moved forward
To honor an elegant lady you rise
In quiet moments shared
Between just the two of you
She spoke, you listened,
She prayed, that you learned
That you heard her heart
She loved you, And You knew
To honor an elegant lady you rise
She dressed her soul in the wisdom of time
Found happiness in moments united
When your smile touched her face
Two hearts beat in sync
All Peace now in place
To honor an elegant lady you rise
With eyes up she smiles
Heart now wrapped in fine lace
In the still she moved forward
In her style
In her way
In her quiet
In her time
She chose her day
She was ready to glow
To honor an elegant lady you rise

Prayers to My Daughter

I have taught you well my child
It’s now your time to shine
Dress your soul in wisdom
Teach those that look to you
What the style of a heart can really do
Be refined in strength and purpose
Be mindful of the hearts in your care
To honor an elegant lady you rise
But when your heart is heavy
And those days will come my dear
Just sit that purse down for a moment
Take off that hat
It’s okay to shed a tear
Born in the mist of turbulent times
Those times for us all they be
To honor an elegant lady you rise
For all time to come
Just remember when
My smile touched your face
I loved you, and you knew it
To honor an elegant lady you rise
I rise to honor you

By Joyce Ivory
May 20, 2022
Written for Sheila with love.

May These Words Comfort You