Betsy Lou Tatum

Betsy Lou Tatum, 82, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Missouri City, Texas. Betsy will be remembered as a kind and loving mother, wife, nana and beloved schoolteacher.
Betsy was born and grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas and graduated from Wichita Falls Senior High School. She attended North Texas University and graduated in 1962, with a degree in Business, and minor in English. That same year she married John Tatum, and they adopted their son, John Jr. in 1965, in Denver, Colorado. They moved to Parma, Ohio and had their second child, Stacy, in 1968. They eventually settled in Dixon, Illinois which provided a wonderful place for children to grow up. Eventually, when the opportunity presented itself, they returned to Texas, which had always been home to them.
Betsy began her career as a full-time teacher in 1982 at Dulles High School in Sugarland, Texas and taught for over 20 years. She quickly became a favorite among her students. She had such an impact on her students that for many years after her retirement, former students would recognize her in public and go out of their way to talk to her and share how she had touched their lives.
Betsy was a very talented seamstress and she often made clothes for family members and even made clothes for her children's stuffed animals and dolls. She loved to read and helped cultivate a love of reading in her children by taking them to the library regularly. She was a very social person, she loved to host parties, could always be counted on to chat with people in public, and was a long-time member of The P.E.O. and Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors. She loved animals, particularly all the dogs that were part of her life, Prissy, Mandy, Amber, Buddy and especially Maggie. But, most of all, she was a loving mother and nana. She loved to decorate and provided a beautiful home and wonderful childhood for her family. Hers was the house that all the neighborhood kids preferred to spend time visiting. She also adored her grandchildren and made a point to be there for as many of the important holidays and events in their life as she could.
Betsy is survived by her husband of over 60 years, John; her sister, Polly Ann Robins; her son, John; her daughter, Stacy; grandsons, Matthew and Eric; and granddaughter, Alyssa.
Betsy's life will be celebrated on Saturday March 18th, at a small open-house remembrance for family and friends (for details contact 214-471-6708). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to two causes that were important to her, the Houston Humane Society or the Fort Bend Women's Center. Please see links below.