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.
Vivia was a very special cousin and family member. Her lifetime experiences relayed in her many stories while growing up with missionary parents were both interesting and amazing. We will miss those stories and her very special sense of humor. She has a very special place in our hearts, and she will be dearly missed. Our love and prayers are for her brother Jack and his wife Fran, her daughters Brenda and Carolyn and their families. Love, Bonnie, Lenny, Chris and Kyle Ambruso
Vivia was a very special women with a kind heart, warm spirit and playful personality. I will always cherish my memories of our friendship together, for the short time we knew each other. In that time, we had alot of fun times and I truly enjoyed hearing all her stories, and there were many! Thank you dear Vivia for your kindness and friendship, and rest in peace with your love, Jim. Love, Melanie
I didn’t know Vivia that well but came into
contact with her as a member of the Kayaker’s group with Newcomers. She was a delight when she hosted our group and was always cheerful and accommodating. May she rest in peace.
Vivia was a dear friend and colleague when she lived in Wall, N. J. and taught at Wall High School. I remember how surprised I was when she hosted my baby shower at her house in Wall. She was truly a generous, kind person who lived a Christian life every day. I had the pleasure of having both her daughters in class. They exhibited the very principles of dedication, hard work, respect and compassion that Vivia had and instilled in them. As life has its various twists and turns, Vivia and I lost regular contact with each other when she moved away. But she was always in my thoughts when I reflected upon my years at Wall High School and those special memories with co-workers. Her love and sunshine live on in her daughters. It was a privilege to know and work with Vivia Tutum.❤️
I was a regular attendee at the cards group Vivia hosted at her home. She will be missed from our Newcomers Group. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.
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Viv and Jim were our neighbors in Terrell. Many a great memory and laughs over the years. Tractor shows, dinners out. Boating, just to mention a few. There were days that she would come up and bring an item up or a photo and sit and tell the story and memories it brought. After Jim passed, she would bring her little can of coke and we would sit and reminisce about the days Jim was alive. We would laugh and cry over certain memories. I look at her house everyday and think of her. She will be missed. I will miss her calling me and visiting me. I am glad only to know she is back with the love of her life, Jim.