On October 6, 2020, Mrs. Mary Lou Gurkin, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister went to her heavenly home at the age of 92.
Mary Lou, also known to many as Mary, was born on August 27, 1928 in Williamston, North Carolina. She was raised on the family tobacco farm in rural Williamston, where she and her siblings learned about working hard and loving Jesus. Mary attended Kings Women's college in Raleigh, NC. She married Marshall Tatum who attended North Carolina State University. They had four sons: Dan, Tim, Ron and Rob. Mary loved sports and NC State. She rarely missed a game and was proud to be one of their biggest fans. Mary loved music and was an accomplished piano player and singer. She taught music and sang for many years in her church choir. She could sing just about anything and when she sang, she did so with all her heart and soul. Mary was known for her quick wit, everlasting smile and compassionate spirit. She loved nature and saw God in all its beautiful details. She was a wonderful artist and amazingly creative. Her family and love for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, were above all things to her.
She is survived by her sons: Dan Tatum and Rob Tatum, sisters: Nancy Manning, Della Gurganus, Loreta Gurkin and Linda Lee, grandchildren: Stephanie Haynes, Allison Rozell Tatum, John Tatum, Andrew Tatum and Amanda Tatum and great-grandchildren: Ben Haynes, Will Haynes, Lilly Tatum and Amara Rozell-Radhakrishnan.
Because of the current pandemic, Mary Lou's wishes were to have a private family gathering to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift in her name to Maple Grove Christian Church in Williamston, NC.
/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/prod/904/148311/aeiw9o0bxsduf57dqagt.jpg)
