Kay Rich Tatum

Kay Rich Tatum, age 62, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 27, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. She was a native of Marietta, Georgia. After successfully surviving ovarian cancer in 2017, she learned through a routine bloodwork appointment that her chemo drugs had caused a rare blood disorder to surface called MDS. She entered the hospital unexpectedly on 9/30/19, and never returned home again through complications of this disease. She faced fears and suffering with the daring attitude of a heart that trusts in God. She realized her blessings in the midst of a storm. Her faith never wavered and she never complained through all the numerous blood transfusions and tests that were done. When confronted with her circumstances, she handled it all with grace and never quit fighting for her life, enduring every test her doctors ordered. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life story, and she is now in the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ.
Kay was born on November 15, 1956, to Bill & Marguerite Rich of Marietta, Georgia. She graduated from FT Wills High School in Smyrna, Georgia in 1974. Upon graduation, she was working three jobs (Rich’s department store was one, where she teased about knowing Mr. Rich personally). Kay then met the love of her life, Jeff Tatum. At only seventeen years old, she married him at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and they celebrated their forty-fifth wedding anniversary this year. Additionally, they were long-time members of Roswell Street Baptist Church, where Kay volunteered with the Women’s Pregnancy Center. She was a current member at West Cobb Church. She loved to attend every event hosted by the church, but also loved a good yard sale, art festival or excursion to her mountain cabin in Ellijay. She was an avid reader, but also loved the Hallmark Channel movies and a good game of Scrabble. Kay entertained and threw incredible “celebrations of life” showers and parties with delicious meals she prepared. Kay was a devoted wife, mom, sister and friend. Her most important and prized role she would tell anyone, was being “KK” to her two beloved grandchildren that she absolutely loved and adored, Turner and Oakley. Her untimely death leaves a void no words can fill. Her contagious smile, distinctive full laugh and loving eyes will never be replaced. The loss we feel here is heaven’s gain.
Kay was preceded in death by her father, Bill Rich. She is survived by her husband, Jeff Tatum of Marietta, Georgia; daughter and son-in-law, Amy & Grant Baird of Dallas, Georgia; grandchildren Turner Gage Baird and Oakley Rayne Baird; son and daughter-in-law, Tyler & Cory Tatum of Acworth, Georgia. She is also survived by her mother, Marguerite Rich of Marietta, Georgia; sister, Renee Rich Henry (Dunn) of Marietta, Georgia, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, October 31st, 2019 at 11:00 am at West Cobb Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 pm. We ask if you attend, please wear colorful clothes as this will be a celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to West Cobb Church.
Online guest book at www.westcobbfuneralhome.com .