Vonda Kaye Butler Tatum

Vonda Kaye Butler Tatum, age 75, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at her home on Hwy 410 in Bladenboro, with her family by her side. Born in Bladen County, she is the daughter of the late Creston Harvey and Eunice Guyton Butler. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Nettie Van; twin sister, Wanda Kaye; brothers: Barney, Samuel, and Waitous Butler and her youngest grandchild, Emily Rose.

She left behind her husband of 60 years, James “Jimmy” Henry Tatum; one son and three daughters to cherish her memory. Jimmy James Tatum of Bladenboro, Teresa Priest (Timmie) of Bladenboro, Brenda Mills of Bladenboro, and Cindy Rankin (Dwayne) of Indiana.

Also left to cherish her memory are two brothers: Leston Butler of Raleigh, Donald Butler of Bladenboro; two sisters: Sarah Meares of Boiling Spring Lakes, Valeria Lupo of Bladenboro; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Vonda was blessed with many talents. At the age of 6, she started playing the ukulele in church and singing with her dad, older brother, Barney and twin sister, Wanda. She lost her twin when they were 8 years old, due to kidney complications. When Vonda was 10 years old, she asked her father for a piano and taught herself how to play. She went with him to churches, playing piano and singing with him. Sometimes, they sat together at the piano and played together.

For over 50 years, she was a pastor’s wife. She played piano wherever her husband pastored, and they sang together. She played at several funerals and rest homes. Many times, the family gathered around her piano in her home and enjoyed music and singing. In 1993, she was thrilled to travel with her husband to Mexico on a missionary trip, where she gave candy to the children at the small church they visited.

Vonda penned a couple of gospel songs and several poems that were printed in several books of poetry. She received several awards and a silver cup for her poetry. She was a good wife, mother, homemaker, and cook. She was interested in canning vegetables and pickles, gardening and working in the yard planting flowers and shrubbery. When her children were small, she sewed clothes for them and herself. She briefly worked at a sewing factory. She altered clothes for friends a few times, made some quilts, crocheted, and enjoyed making wooden crafts, especially for the Dublin Peanut Festival where she had a booth for several years.

During the years that her husband was self-employed, after her children were grown, Vonda sometimes assisted him in hanging wallpaper, awnings, overhead sheetrock, painting, and working on porches. She did it because she “enjoyed helping him out.”

She was always a “giving” person, especially at Christmas. She said, “It’s not Christmas if I can’t give gifts to my family and others.” Christmas was her favorite time of year! She put her heart into making it special, not only through gifts, but also through her cooking and decorating. Some of her specialty desserts that everyone loved were red velvet cake, icebox fruit cake, and pecan pies.

The workers at Bladen County Lower Cape Fear LifeCare took very good care of Vonda. Vonda’s nurse, Stacey became like “part of the family.” She, Vonda, and the family had a close relationship, while Stacey was a “role model” of what a dedicated, caring nurse should be. Stacey will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Tatum family.

Vonda will be dearly missed by her husband and children, grandchildren, family members, church families, and many others whose lives she touched.

The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Saturday, March 29th at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. A funeral service will be held at 3pm on Sunday, March 30th at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home. Reverend Jimmy Tatum and Reverend Charlie Tatum will be officiating the services. Burial will follow services in the Community Baptist Church Cemetery, off of Hwy 410, Bladenboro, NC 28320.

On behalf of the Tatum and Butler family, we would like to express our appreciation for all your love, prayer, calls and support during this difficult time.