Phillip Tatum, 70, of Banks, passed away February 10, 2026. Born February 16, 1955, to the late Claude G. and Birdie Lee Davis Tatum. He confessed Christ at an early age and was a member of First Baptist Church in Banks, AR.
Phillip received his formal education in Bradley County, Arkansas and retired from Potlatch Corp. after 45 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude & Birdie Tatum; brothers, Clyde Tatum, Glen Tatum and one great niece, Elizabeth Watson.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marilyn Tatum; two sons, Phillip Tatum (Kierra), Mario Tatum; two sisters, Shirley Smalling (Carlton), Sharon Watson (Roy) of Milwaukee, WI.; daughter, Laura Calvert (Daniel) of Milwaukee, WI.; bonus son, Christopher Tatum (Chaundra) of Dallas, TX.; bonus daughter, Theretha Marshall (Sammy); sisters-in-law, Linda Fatai of Kansas City, KS, Wanda Rice (Ulysses), Carolyn Davis (Robert) both of Warren, AR., Mary Gulley (Rodney) of Dallas, TX., Patricia Adams of Grand Prairie, TX., Frances Vaughn (Tony) Fordyce, AR.; brothers-in-law, Arthur Lawson (Danette) of El Dorado, AR., Alma Williams (Janice) of Grand Prairie, TX., John Williams of Crossett, AR., Jerome Green of New Jersey; one special brother-in-law, Jerry Davis of Rockford, IL.; eleven grandchildren, Brody Barker, Legend, Summer, Mario Jr., Dracyn, Cameron, Khylan, Skylare, Kaiden Tatum, Michaela Reese, Amari Russell; two great grandchildren, A’Zariyah Tatum, Omari Tatum; special friends Ryan Meeks (Faso), Leonard Don Purifoy of Warren, AR., James Earl Jones of Jonesboro, AR., Theresa Price, Barbara Webb; a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral service was held February 21 at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Warren with Rev. Roy Watson officiating and Rev. Calvin Warner eulogist. Burial was in Childs Cemetery, Banks, AR.
Arrangements by Hammons Funeral Home.
