Carol Ann Tatum

Carol Ann Tatum, age 78, passed away peacefully at her home on December 13, 2024, following a swift decline in her health. Carol was born on December 26, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio, just 10 minutes shy of being born on Christmas Day. Her parents, Theodore Allen Schafer and Helen Ruth Turpin, named her Carol in honor of the holiday.

Carol often reminisced fondly about her childhood in Ohio. She and her brother, along with friends, would spend hours exploring the woods, catching fireflies, climbing trees, and playing baseball, tackle football, and marbles. She fondly remembered herself as quite the tomboy, and her happiest memories were of being surrounded by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

At the age of 10, her family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where Carol attended Sunnyslope High School before continuing her education at Brigham Young University and Phoenix College. It was at Phoenix College that she met Stephen George Tatum, the love of her life. They married in the Mesa Arizona Temple and built a family together. Initially, Carol studied Sociology with aspirations to pursue social work, but she soon discovered that her deep empathy for others would lead her to internalize their struggles. Realizing this was affecting her mental health, she shifted her focus to Education, earning her degree. However, when it was time for her student teaching, Carol discovered she was pregnant with her first child. In those days, pregnant women were not allowed to participate in student teaching, and she was not able to earn her teacher’s license.

Carol and Stephen had five children, whom she affectionately referred to as her “five great kids.” The family lived in Phoenix, Arizona, and later in Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, before returning to Phoenix. Eventually, they moved to Santa Clara, Utah, where Carol spent the last 15 years of her life.

Carol will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering service to her family, friends, and church. She had a joyful spirit and a great sense of humor, always finding something to laugh about. She loved to read, including the daily newspaper, even after most people had stopped subscribing. Scrabble was one of her favorite pastimes, and each New Year's Eve, the family gathered to play, with Carol always striving to defend her title as the reigning champion. She lived simply, was frugal, and taught her children the value of living within their means and staying out of debt.

Throughout her life, Carol faced her share of struggles. She dealt with the chronic pain of rheumatoid arthritis, battled depression, and was known to be a “professional worrier.” These challenges gave her a deep well of compassion for others facing difficulties in their lives. Her most difficult challenge was the death of her husband, Stephen, at the beginning of this year.

While her family greatly mourns her passing, they know she is happy to be reunited with her sweetheart.

Carol is survived by her children: Rebecca Rasmussen (Scott) of Santa Clara, Rachel Suchla of Santa Clara, Debra Stowell (Todd), currently serving an LDS mission in Nairobi, Kenya, Matthew Tatum (Katia) of Cañon City, CO, and Daniel Tatum of Lehi, UT. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and her younger brother, Robert Schafer. Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Tatum; her parents, Theodore and Helen Schafer; her sister, Donna Sickles; and her grandson, Nathan Rasmussen.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Rachel Chapel, 3815 Rachel Drive, Santa Clara, UT 84765. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. Interment will follow at the Santa Clara Cemetery.