Vivia Ruth (Day) Tatum, 80, of Terrell, NC passed away Friday, May 2, 2025 at Abernethy Laurels, Newton North Carolina. She was born March 7, 1945 in Ithaca, NY and raised worldwide, as the daughter of Wesley and Ruthlydia Day, United Methodist missionaries.
In 1968 she settled in Allenwood, New Jersey, with her childhood sweetheart, James E Tatum. Vivia was a special education teacher for Wall Township, New Jersey, for over 25 years. Her love of history and genealogy led to the discovery that she is the 15 th cousin, once removed, of Britain’s King Charles III, and to active participation in both the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as the being the DAR representative to the Sons of the American Revolution. She was an active member at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Brick, NJ.
Vivia and Jim retired to Terrell, NC in 2002. She spent the rest of her life enjoying Newcomers card
groups, lake and church activities, not only at Rehobeth United Methodist Church in Terrell, NC but also
in the choir at the Episcopal Church of St. Peter by the Lake in Denver, NC. She made sure she
maintained strong relationships with her classmates and other friends from the class of 1963 at
Woodstock, the missionary boarding school in India she had attended.
Vivia is predeceased in death by her father, Rev. J. Wesley Day and mother, Ruthlydia Slayton Day as
well as her beloved husband, James E. Tatum.
She is survived by her brother, the Rev. Dr. Jackson Harvey Day (Fran), and her two daughters Brenda Tatum, and Carolyn Tatum Miller (David), three grandsons, Tyler Joseph Rother, Timothy James Rother and Michael David Miller, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Abernethy Laurels in Newton and Carolina Caring for their care
and support.
A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held Saturday, May 24 ,2025 at 10:00 AM at Rehobeth
United Methodist Church, 9297 Sherrills Ford Road, Terrell, NC 28682. In lieu of flowers, the family
wishes that any memorials may be made to Rehobeth United Methodist Church or Carolina Caring.
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