Burleigh Mears Tatum, 89, husband of the late Jewell Boole Tatum and a resident of Belle Haven, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006 at Shore Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox. A native of Red Bank, he was the son of the late Nathaniel James Tatum and the late Janie Ward Tatum. He was a retired farmer, member and Deacon of Red Bank Baptist Church. Other memberships include: Ambassador for Masonic Home of Virginia, Past Master Broadwater Masonic Lodge #71 AF&AM, 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason Portsmouth, Commander Chesapeake Commandery #28, Past Grand High Priest Royal Arch Masons State of Virginia, Past High Priest Eastern Shore Royal Arch Chapter #12, Past District Deputy Grand High Priest - Eastern Shore, Past District Deputy Grand Member Eastern Shore, Khedieve Temple Shrine of Norfolk, Past President Eastern Shore Shrine Club, Past President of Past Masters Association Eastern Shore, Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 13th Masonic District, Eastern Shore of Virginia Shrine Club, Eastern Shore A.M.D., Member of Portsmouth Scottish Rite, Hartley Carmichael - #3 A.M.D., Commonwealth York Rite College # 50, King Daurius Council Knight Masons of Virginia #17, Saint Thomas Conclave Knights of Red Cross of Constantine, Garden of Gethesamae Tabernacle #2 H.R.A.K.D., Saint Polycarp Annual Conclave and member of the Eastern Shore Sweet Potato Association. Mr. Tatum is survived by two sisters, Betty Ann Tatum Sensenig and her husband Kenneth of Salisbury, Md., and Dorothy Tatum Tyndall of Onley. He was predeceased by a sister, Norma Long. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. from the graveside of Red Bank Baptist Church Cemetery with Masonic Rites. The Rev. Dr. William Nieporte officiated. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Eastern Shore, P.O. Box 316, Parksley, Va. 23421. Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book and send condolences at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements made by Doughty Funeral Home, Exmore.

Obituary, Eastern Shore News, March 1, 2006.