Elizabeth (Betty) Wilson Tatum

November 8, 1942 - November 8, 2020

Elizabeth (Betty) Wilson Tatum, died on November 8, 2020, in Dallas, TX from Alzheimer's disease complications. She was born in Greenville, TX on November 8, 1942, to William R. Wilson and Mary Kay Wilson, both of whom predeceased her. Betty grew up in Greenville and then graduated from SMU in 1964 where she was an outstanding academic student and held various leadership positions in service to the university. She was a member of numerous honorary organizations as well as being the Senior Class Treasurer and President of her ZTA sorority. She has maintained close relationships with many of her classmates and sorority sisters throughout her life. Betty then obtained a French language degree from the Sorbonne in Paris, France and a German language degree from the Goethe Institute in Munich, Germany. Returning to SMU and its Graduate School of Business, Betty became the first woman to obtain an MBA from the university. Entering the workforce, Betty joined Henry S. Miller Real Estate as Henry S. Miller, Jr.'s personal assistant, writing his MAI real estate appraisals, including the original financing appraisal for the NorthPark Shopping Mall. Later, she was Wayne Swearingen's personal assistant when he headed the Office Division of the Miller company. Betty also sold residential real estate on the weekends. In 1969 she married the love of her life, John Tatum and then took a sabbatical from the work world in 1971 to begin a family. Betty became very active with numerous charity, service and educational organizations in Dallas, serving both as a volunteer and in leadership positions on various committees for the St. Michael's School, the Episcopal School of Dallas, the Church of the Incarnation, SMU, Highland Park High School and the Austin Street Ministries. Betty was President of the Park Cities Historical Society and a recipient of the Preservation Award in 2007. After raising her three daughters, Betty returned to selling residential real estate with Abio & Adleta Real Estate and later, Briggs-Freeman Real Estate, enjoying a very successful career for several decades, only retiring after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Betty was exceptionally kind and full of goodness. She had extraordinary integrity and character, great wisdom, natural grace, elegance and style and led a purpose driven life. Betty was a champion of the disadvantaged and saw the good in everyone. She was a fabulous wife, mother, grandmother, sister, companion and loyal friend. What a beautiful, dignified and intelligent lady she was! "Well done, good and faithful servant." Betty is survived by John, her beloved husband of 50 years; brother, William R. Wilson, Jr.; her three daughters, Amye Tatum Johnson (Jeff), Allison Tatum Withers (Mark) and Ashley Elizabeth Tatum (Newt Walker); five grandchildren, Tatum Johnson, Rawls Johnson, Forrest Johnson, J.T. Withers and Luke Withers; brother-in-law, James Tatum Dana), sister-in-law, Ainslie Tatum; nieces, Debbie Diehm, and Kirsten Tatum; nephews, Marc Hutchens, Tom Tatum III, Edward Tatum, and Chad Tatum as well as numerous cousins. Betty was a communicant of The Church of the Incarnation (Episcopal). The family especially thanks caregiver Elnora Denmark and special friends, Cindy and the late Bill Ward for their unsurpassed love and support during Betty's illness.