Carla Marie Tatum, age 87, of Prosper, Texas, passed away on January 17, 2024. Carla was born on March 29, 1936, in Pittsburg, Texas, to Carl Richard and Gladys Marie (Holt) Tolar.
She graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1953 and Northwestern State University in 1957 where she was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. She received a BA and MEd in Elementary Education and a Specialist Degree in Reading. Throughout her career, Carla taught first through fifth grade reading and taught at Northwestern State University and The University of Southern Mississippi. Teaching at the college level and training prospective teachers were her favorite jobs of all time.
Carla married Bob Tatum in 1956 and enjoyed nearly 62 years of marriage before his passing in 2018. They had two children, John and Jo, before she was promoted to “Gunna” by her grandchildren, Jenni and Robert.
Throughout the years, Carla lived across the southern United States and enjoyed traveling to over fifteen states and three countries with her family and friends. Carla was a lifetime Methodist and played organ and piano at church for many years. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Retired Teachers of Texas, PEO, and United Methodist Women.
Carla lived her last five years at Tribute Senior Living in Prosper, Texas. She adored living in the facility because of the fun activities offered. She was active in sewing, dancing, editing the facility newsletter, and visiting other residents. She participated in most events at Tribute, and it is no surprise she was granted the title, “Mayor.”
Carla is survived by her daughter, Jo and husband Mike Di Donato; granddaughter Jenni Di Donato and husband Clint Sherman; grandson, Robert Di Donato; sisters-in-law, Helen Eves and Roberta Cooper; cousin, Steve Tolar; nephews, Kevin and Kyle Tolar, Mark and Dan Cooper, Byrns Eves, Jr. and wife, Tammy Eves, and their sons John Michael Eves, and Julian Eves; nieces, M’Lee Rabalais and Karen Deaton and husband, Tommy Deaton; daughter-in-law, Virginia Tatum of Houston, Texas.
Carla was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Marie Tolar; husband, Bob Tatum; son, John Tatum; brother, Jimmie Tolar; sisters-in-law, Ruth Tatum and Challie Thornton. Carla wished to be cremated and will be buried alongside her family in Natchitoches, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.