Mary Frances Tatem

MARY’S JOURNEY Life’s journey for Mary Francis Tatem began on August 31, 1947, in Parksley, Virginia. She was the youngest of two children born to the late Mabel Lou-Verda Hudson and raised by her stepfather Walter Hudson. Mary relocated from Parksley to Delmar, Delaware at a young age and grew up in an area known as Frog Town. She died peacefully surrounded by loved ones, at the age of seventy-two (72) at her well-known address of 108 East Street in Delmar, Maryland. God saw that the vibrant and bright ball of energy He had gifted to the world via His spirit had become weak and weary. God whispered gently into her ear that she had completed her earthly work. God let Mary know that she had earned the reward of taking her final rest. On Wednesday, August 13, 2020, God welcomed Mary Francis Tatem into his kingdom. Mary received her primary education at Delmar Elementary School and began her secondary education at William C. Jason High School. She later earned her diploma from James H. Groves High School in Seaford, Delaware. After high school matriculation, she explored various career paths, which included employment in the tray packing department at Mountaire and housekeeping services at the Days Inn Motel in Salisbury, Maryland. Years later, Mary would discover her passion for providing health and ambulatory care. She gained employment at the Harrison House Nursing Home in Delmar, Delaware as a housekeeping attendant, while simultaneously attending Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Maryland as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) student. Mary worked three years as a fulltime housekeeping attendant during the day, alternating in the evening to a part-time position as a CNA. Proudly in 1990, Mary earned a position as a full-time CNA and remained employed with the nursing home for an additional twenty (20) years. She retired from the newly renamed, Delmar Nursing Home in 2010. Although retired, Mary’s nurturing spirit would not allow her to rest. She would continue working part-time as a private sitter until 2013. Those who knew Mary best knew her first love was caring for others whom she held close to her heart, no matter how much she complained or threatened to disown them. Mary was the community mother whom you did not know you needed. She offered a warm plate of food, a place for lost souls to collect their thoughts, a listening ear and she made sure to acknowledge those who felt invisible. Mary enjoyed being "that" someone for everyone. She loved sitting at her table enjoying a good cigarette, which later became a vape, a cup of coffee with a splash of water and honey to sweeten the deal and don’t forget the soothing background sounds of her radio. Mary loved music and it played nonstop in the house. If she was outside tinkering with the plants or the yard, she would have music playing from the car. She loved a good backyard party and the occasional visit to a “hole in the wall.” She found joy in picking out winning scratch-offs, playing her numbers, or spending hours at the slots. When you think of Mary, think of the woman who never let the grass grow under her feet. When you could catch her in the house, it was because she was planning a feast. She loved to cook and then sit back and watch everyone eat. Mary loved being Mary and she never tried to be anyone but herself. She was preceded in death by her, step-father Walter and mother Mabel Hudson, her daughter and best friend, Cheryl Harmon and grandson Destin Heath. Mary leaves to celebrate her life: one brother, William Tatem, of Smyrna, DE; two sons, Herbert Tatem (Teresa Prince) of Ellettsville, IN and Patrick Corbin of Baltimore, MD; three daughters, Lisa Tatem of Laurel, MD, Lynette Holley of Augusta, GA and Vonette Holley of Augusta, GA; son-in-law Franklyn Harman; seven grandchildren, Tremayne (Tiffany) Tatem of Delmar, DE, Orlando Smack of Delmar, MD, Kyree Tatem of Delmar, MD, Aaliyah Tatem of Delmar, MD, Kalem Tatem of Ellettsville, IN, Miracle Harmon of Salisbury, MD and Beautyful Harmon of Salisbury MD; six great-grandchildren, Kasiyah Tatem, Somaya Savage, Razmerah Tatem, Kyree Tatem, Jr., Anyla Tatem and Serenity Smack; several special lifelong friends, Alex Nichols, Harley Williams, Jacqueline Duncan, Albert and Jenny McCoy, Harolena Bivens, Dwight “Dyke” Taylor, Donna Jacobs, and Gloria Johnson and a host of other loving relatives and friends. LOVINGLY SUBMITTED ~ THE TATEM FAMILY

Mary Frances Tatem

August 31, 1947 - August 13, 2020