Walter Lewis Tatum

Walter Lewis Tatum, 84, was born May 28, 1937 in Salisbury, NC. Walter was the son of the late Dr. Walter Low Tatum and Pauline Peeler Tatum. He lived in Salisbury until retiring to the mountains with his high school sweetheart and wife, Frances Lynne. He later moved to Mooresville, NC to be closer to family and to be able to spend more time on his sailboat. Last year he decided to return home to Salisbury. On June 2, 2021 he passed away peacefully. Walter graduated from Boyden High School and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Upon graduation he went to work in the family business as the chemist for Cheerwine. In 1970, he and his wife decided to open an art needlework store, The Needle Nook. He eventually left Cheerwine to work with her full-time. Walter was a true entrepreneur. Through the years he was a chemist, professional picture framer, a photography lab technician, owned a truck camper store (Cameron Sales) and served as an active Board member for Cheerwine. He enjoyed hiking, camping, golf, sailing and spending time with family. Upon the passing of his wife, Walter donated their land to the City of Salisbury to develop the Foil Tatum Park so that families in the neighborhood could always have a safe place to gather and enjoy time together just like theirs had through the years. Walter loved St John’s Lutheran Church where he was a life-long member. He was a faithful Christian. He and his wife led the youth group at St. Johns for many years. While living in the mountains, he served on the chapel committee and assisted in the church services for the members of High Meadows Country Club. Walter was loved and respected by many friends and was considered to be a true gentlemen. He will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Frances Lynne Foil Tatum and his sister, Anne Tatum McQueen. Survivors include his daughter, Lynne Tatum Little and her husband, Nevan Little of Charlotte; two grandchildren, 1st Lt Cameron Little of Augusta, GA and Carter Little of Charlotte, NC, nephew Ralph Lipscomb “Mac” McQueen and niece Patricia Anne McQueen. A Memorial Service will be held 2 PM Thursday, June 10 at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Rhodes Woolly officiating. The family will receive friends in the Peeler Hall following the service There will be a private family inurnment at the church columbarium. Memorials - In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Tatum-Little Sailing Scholarship, care of Christchurch School, 49 Seahorse Lane, Christchurch, VA 23031 https://www.christchurchschool.org/endowment-giving or Little Family Golf Scholarship, care of The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409, or securely online at https://foundation.citadel.edu/Little, or St John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W Innes St, Salisbury, NC 28144.

Walter Lewis Tatum

May 28, 1937 - June 2, 2021