Ben Moore Tatum, Jr.

Ben Moore Tatum, Jr., passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, April 12, 2016, at his home in Mt. Pleasant, SC.  He was 80 years old.

There will be a graveside service at Roselawn Cemetery in McColl, SC at 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 14, 2016 with the Rev. Ann Everette officiating.

There will also be a memorial service celebrating Ben's life in Mount Pleasant, SC at Hibben United Methodist Church on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Dr. Ray Litts officiating.

Ben was born November 17, 1935 to the late Ben Moore Tatum, Sr. and the late Kate Hendrix Tatum in Marlboro County, SC.  He graduated from McColl High School (Class of 1953) and went on to graduate from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC (Class of 1957), where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity (Alpha-Nu Chapter).  Ben served his country as a soldier in the United States Army and was a member of Hibben United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC.  As a member of the Mt. Pleasant City Council (1980-1986) Ben was instrumental in bringing awareness to the lack of services and access for citizens with disabilities and he worked tirelessly to increase the number of handicapped parking spaces in town.  Due in large part to his efforts he was recognized as the Handicapped Citizen of the Year in the Charleston Area, 1983 and in 1984 Gov. and Mrs. Dick Riley presented Ben with the South Carolinian of the Year award.  The town of Mt. Pleasant also honored him by making November 17, 2008 Ben M. Tatum, Jr. Day.  You can also find Lake Ben M. Tatum in the city of Mt. Pleasant.  Although Ben was himself handicapped by a degenerative neurological disorder, he had a true zest and appreciation for life and he enjoyed each day to its fullest.  He inspired so many others to do more than they ever thought possible. 

When he wasn’t serving others, Ben loved gardening and creating seashell lamps as well as rummaging through old stores and estates for antiques.

In addition to his parents Ben was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Thomas H. Tatum.

To cherish his memory Ben leaves behind a brother, William Gray Tatum and wife Mary of McColl; a nephew, Robin Harvey of Arden, NC; a niece, Gray Tatum Covington and husband Rhett of McColl; great-nephews John Rhett Covington, Michael Harvey, William Harvey; great nieces Emma Gray Covington and Elise Harvey; long-time caregivers and faithful friends Viola Huger, Jan Dzierko, and Janet Laflamme as well as more recent care providers Renee Kirkendoll, Sophia Williams, and Amy Wheeler.

In honor of Ben the family asks that memorials be made to the Hibben United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund at 690 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 or Main Street United Methodist Church at 210 N. Main St. McColl, SC 29570.

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