Henry Oscar Tatum

UNION: Services for Mr. Henry Oscar Tatum will be held 11 am, Friday, January 30, 2026 at Milling Funeral Home Chapel of Union with burial in the Conehatta Methodist Cemetery with military honors. Bro. Tommy Tanner and Bro. Michael Tatum will officiate.

Visitation will be held 9:30 am - 11 am service time at Milling Funeral Home of Union.

Mr. Tatum, age 87, of Prospect Community, died Monday, January 26, 2026.

Oscar was a lifelong resident of the Prospect Community of Newton County. As a child, he attended Sebastopol Attendance Center, where the roots of his work ethic and love for the outdoors began to take shape. As a young man, he worked at the shirt factory in Decatur, Mississippi until being drafted into the United States Army. During his service, Oscar was stationed in Berlin, where he proudly guarded the Berlin Wall.

Oscar was a proud United States Army Veteran who took great honor in serving his country. His patriotism remained to be evident throughout his life, and he faithfully displayed an American flag is his yard as a symbol of his love for and pride in his country.

After returning home from the Army, Oscar worked at La-Z-Boy in Newton before eventually fulfilling his dream of building developing his own poultry farm. He dedicated more than 40 years as a poultry farmer with Peco Foods, originally known as Green Acres, a career marked by hard work, perseverance, and pride.

An avid outdoorsman, Oscar's first love for deer hunting was bowhunting during a time when archery hunting was uncommon. In his lifetime, he spent countless hours hunting in the Tallahala Wildlife Management Area and when he wasn't in the woods, he could often be found on a pond somewhere bass fishing. His true passion, however, was turkey hunting. In his spare time, he enjoyed perfecting the art of hunting and fishing and took great pride in reloading his own ammunition, fletching his own arrows, crafting turkey calls, and making his own fishing lures.

As a father, husband, hunter, fisherman, and wildlife enthusiast, Oscar was always one with nature. Whether in the woods or on the water, it was there that he felt closest to his Lord and Savior. To know Oscar, and to have him share his love and knowledge of the great outdoors, was a gift and an inspiration to everyone.

His laughter, wisdom, and presence will be missed more than words can express. Our lives are better because he was a part of them, and his memory will forever be a blessing.

While he was never one for flowers or gifts, those wishing to his honor his memory may make a donation to the Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, a non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing native wildlife.

Survivors:

Wife: Patsy Tatum

2 Daughters: Connie McMullan (Tim) and Lynn Boatner (Richard)

Grandchildren: Kerri Gipson (Chris) and Coy McMullan (Hannah)

1 Great Grandson: Landon Gipson

2 Brothers: Marshall Tatum and Ellis Tatum, Jr.

1 Sister: Diane Arthur

Mr. Tatum is preceded in death by his first wife, Lola Mills Tatum; parents, Ellis and Cora Tatum; sister, Rachel Altenhofel and brother, Ronnie Tatum.

Pallbearers: Coy McMullan, Brandon Tatum, Tim McMullan, Richard Boatner, Michael Tatum, J.T. Rigdon, Richard Tatum, Landon Gipson and Chris Gipson