March 4, 2022 - A dedication service in honor of Dr. Charles Tatum and monument unveiling was held at Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church in February 2020. In memory of Dr. Tatum, Shelby County Today is featuring the program at the conclusion of Black history month. Dr. Charles Tatum was born February 25, 1931 in Center, Texas and passed away April 3, 2019.
During the program family and friends reminisced over Dr. Tatum and his many accomplishments and love of Shelby County.
"He was a worldwide traveler, and it was good to just sit and pick his brain and let him talk to you," said Myrtis McClelland, a sister-in-law to Dr. Tatum.
Dr. Kenneth Hinson has written a book of the life story of Dr. Tatum, and he shared the tale of how that venture came to pass in his retelling of a conversation he had with Dr. Tatum, and a note he shared.
Dr. Tatum was once challenged by Donnie Lee Boothe Hawkins with the task of writing her life story should she pass away before he did. In return, she promised to do the same for him, should he have passed away first.
"As I read the note, I was awestruck and I was afraid, because I said 'why should I be able to write something about this great historian, author," said Dr. Hinson. "As I thought more about the situation, I said 'I'm obligated to do this.'"
Dr. Hinson entered into the arrangement with Dr. Tatum, and they moved forward with the project and began collecting information. By 2017-2018, as Dr. Tatum's health was declining, Dr. Hinson began writing the book, "Dr. Charles Edward Tatum, [A Man] Born to Serve, An Eastern in a Western World."
Vanessa Davis and Vickie Martin, both representing the Shelby County Historical Commission, addressed the audience. Davis shared how Dr. Tatum inspired her in becoming a member of the historical commission.
"When I was a little girl he would also bring those presentations here to the church," said Davis. "We would see the richness of his life and the places that he had gone, so we all felt a part of-- even though we had never been to Japan, once you've been around cousin Charles you felt like you had been there."
Davis shared how Dr. Tatum helped her to know and realize the importance of both family and community heritage, which helped her to decide to become a part of the historical commission.
Martin spoke of how much she enjoyed the book, "Shelby County: In the East Texas Hills," and sought to meet Dr. Tatum and see if he would give a program in Shelby County.
"He was delighted to come, and he came and he spoke to our group," said Martin. "He was bigger than life, if you ever had the opportunity to meet him you would not forget him, he was unforgettable."
Martin shared she had the privilege of speaking to him many times over the years and that he was a joy to know.
City of Center Mayor David Chadwick also spoke, "I had known Dr. Tatum for years as most people in Shelby County did because his accomplishments were not anything to hide. They were there, they were real and they were fun and they were enviable of almost anybody who had the opportunity to hear some of his life." Mayor Chadwick retold and visit with Dr. Tatum and summed it up with the realization, "What I now realize is that I had gone to the East Texas hills with Charles Tatum and started my degree in Common Sense that he was so terribly proud of and it is what made him who he was." Mayor Chadwick then read the City of Center Proclamation.
"Whereas, today the City of Center would like to acknowledge Charles Edward Tatum.
"Whereas, Dr. Tatum was born in Center Texas on February 25, 1931, and passed on April 3, 2019. Mr. Tatum married Velma Taylor Tatum for 59 years before her death.
"Whereas, Dr. Tatum was formally educated at C.H. Daniels High School, Prairie View A&M University, Indiana University, University of Oklahoma, San Diego State University, University of Maryland Eastern Division, Michigan State University. Mr. Tatum earned his C.S. Common Sense Degree in his numerous listening sessions with the elders of East Texas Hills and has earned five academic degrees in training and research exploration including fields of U.S. History, Foreign Far Eastern History, Geoscience, Church History, and genealogy. Mr. Tatum's academic work exposed to include teaching in the United States, and abroad, as well as public school and university administration. Through 50 years-plus of teaching he has taught over 49,500 students.
"Whereas, Mr. Tatum served as a Fulbright scholar at the International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan; and as Asian Scholar Fellow in the University of Hawaii.
"Whereas, Mr. Tatum was a recipient of the African Studies award where he traveled with numerous students abroad in African countries and also selected to participate in seminars on Israel in Tel Aviv, Israel, and has written numerous books and publications.
"Whereas, Mr. Tatum placed his feet on the hills of many countries, except for the continent of Antarctica, and served his country in the U.S. 13th Signal Battalion First Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army. Mr. Tatum worked as a civilian for the U.S. Department of Defense, serving as many areas of the earth and many years, and was recipient of many honors and recognitions and one being the Piper Award for his quality education from the Piper Foundation in Texas and as a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, as well as Prince Hall Masonic Lodge of Houston.
"Now therefore, I, David Chadwick, Mayor of the City of Center, do hereby congratulate Center native Charles Edward Tatum for his many accomplishments and service to our country."
Oscar Bell, Jr. spoke about Dr. Tatum and the history of the monument planning, "Why Westview? It was here in his home community, the East Texas Piney Woods, that he always chose to come back to to find solace, peace, and re-energize himself. So, it is here that he chose to express himself and what he felt for his people. To those gathered, I do understand and respect that this is a solemn occasion as it should be, so I ask that you put up with me for just a moment as I present to you these Charles'isms... prepare yourself.
"First when Dr. Tatum, my big brother, chose me for this assignment and during my search I got lucky, I told him that we could get a song at a good discount if we act on it now, they will even store it for us as I previously mentioned to Dr. Hinson, Charles' response to that offer was, 'I'm not dead yet.' Yes, sir!"
"But now comes the second part of this, and for me the most hilarious, my brother played this right down to the nth degree, just use your imagination folks. In our going over the final draft, I was just full of confidence for him, as it turned out, he was full of confidence toward me, sort of ignoring what I had just said to him. I mustered up all the dignity I could but in my mind I am going, 'why you sly fox, so that's the way you are going to handle this.' So at the unveiling just use your imagination folks as I make this veiled attempt to protect his wish, God bless you.
McClelland came back to the podium to give a final thanks before everyone adjourned to the cemetery for the monument unveiling, "I want to thank all of you for coming and I hope that we've learned a lot, we've learned to love each other, and there is a lot of legacy in this town, we just have to have time to think about it or take time to write it."
Following the program at the church, there was an unveiling and dedication at Westview Cemetery of a memorial to Dr. Tatum. For the unveiling, Rev. Anthony Reed, Sr., pastor of Beebe Tabernacle CME Church of Houston, Texas spoke and dedicated the monument to the life and legacy of Dr. Tatum.
The monument displays the following, "A memorable statue in memory of Charles Edward Tatum. He did the work of our Lord in strange lands. A man with a mind at work. He listened to the voices of the elders in this East Texas land. He heard the voices of the people. Charles was upright, modest, intelligent, kindhearted, staunchly loyal, devoutly religious and remarkably un-selfish. He will remain a perennial cynosure of respect as well as admiration. His incisive mind, dry wit and commitment to the students of the Geosciences will be sorely missed. While serving on the faculty at Prairie View A&M University, he became the first graduate of Prairie View to earn the "Piper Award." The depth of the admiration and affection in which Dr. Tatum was held by so many was soon recognized by generations of his students. Those numerously touched lives have lost a great... friend to Education. The Honors he received are too numerous to list. As an eternal thought of gratitude this monument is dedicated to the Lovely People of Shelby County, Texas because of their teachings. He labored incessantly. Charles Edward Tatum now belongs to the ages. He tried to be the good mind at work for the good of all people. His machine delivery in teaching kept students alert. He illuminated the teaching profession from elementary to graduate school teaching. He merited all the eulogium, esteem, and affection which the most ardent of his countrymen have ever bestowed upon him. A gentleman of education and refinement. Charles was laid to rest in Houston Veterans Memorial Cemetery."
