Marilyn Kay (Hughes) Tatum, 70, of Pharr and formerly of Lampasas, died on Jan. 10, 2026. After a 4.5-month battle with complications after a stroke, she passed away peacefully in her sleep.
Marilyn was born July 8, 1955 to William and Esther Hughes in La Junta, Colorado.
After graduation from high school, Marilyn enlisted with the U.S. Air Force where she met her husband of just shy of 50 years, David Tatum.
Over the years, the couple and their children Nathan Tatum of El Paso, Kristine DeBaun of San Marcos, and Thomas Tatum, currently of Germany, got to travel the world and live many places.
In 1996 they moved to Lampasas with the two younger children and resided there until 2016. They decided to embark on an RV life journey across the U.S., Canada and Alaska for a few years, and then went on to retire out of Pharr.
Marilyn was known for her amazing baking and cooking skills throughout the years, and their household was always open to those in need of safe space or a place to stay until they were on their feet again, deeming them as “Motel 6, where the lights are always on.”
She had a creative side that made her capable of just about anything. She was “Mom” to many kids throughout her years. She was full of character and life, loved bingo and singing and all of her grandchildren. Marilyn chose not to have a funeral.
Instead she wanted family and friends to come together and spend time telling stories. A celebration of her life will be held Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. at El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant in Lampasas.
