CHARLES VERNON 'PEP' TATUM, age 88, died Monday, March 18, 2019, at his home in East Prairie.

Born July 22, 1930, at Deventer, MO, to the late Morgan and Mae Sams Tatum, he had lived in Mississippi County most of his life where he had attended the First General Baptist Church in East Prairie. He had been employed in construction for over 34 years with the Hunt Corporation.

On October 3, 1956, he married Violet Lorene Hunt, who preceded in him in death February 3, 2013.

Survivors include a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Joy Thurmond and his grandson, Todd Thurmond and also five brothers James Tatum, Bryant Tatum, Fish Tatum, Bo Tatum and Buster Tatum and two sisters, Laverne Jones and Melody Sikes.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at noon Thursday, March 21, 2019, at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Martin Lucas of East Prairie, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery at Dogwood under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be: Harold "Opie" Tatum, Steve Tatum, John Ray, Terry Wheatley, Frank Cohen, Larry Burns, II and Craig Poore.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com