- Date Of Birth: February 9, 1945
- Date Of Death: February 7, 2017
- State: New Mexico
Susan Lea Tatum, of Clovis, New Mexico, born February 9, 1945, passed away on February 7, 2017.
Her adventure began in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, when she was born to George and Marion Steinmeyer. Susan graduated from Harding High School in Oklahoma City before attending the University of Oklahoma and serving as the president of her sorority, Delta Gamma. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, Susan worked as a special education teacher in the Oklahoma City Public Schools and the Cerebral Palsy Center in Norman, Oklahoma. In 1967, Susan married the love of her life, Edwin B. Tatum, and shortly thereafter, the United States Air Force brought them to Cannon AFB. Upon leaving active duty, Ed and Susan decided to raise a family and make Clovis their permanent home. Ed and Susan had two sons, Scott and Drew. Susan began working at the Clovis Community College as a psychology instructor, academic advisor and as the financial aid director. She then obtained a Master of Arts in Psychology from ENMU. A short time later, she co-founded the Clovis Counseling Center, where she remained a mental health therapist until she retired in 2016. In March of 2015, Susan was appointed to the Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents, and she was serving as the President of the Board of Regents at the time of her passing. Susan was also an active member of P.E.O., Chapter AB in Clovis.
Susan’s kind, compassionate and caring demeanor resonated with thousands of people throughout her many years as a mental health therapist and her time as a regent. While always remaining true to herself, she made dark times brighter for so many people. She cared deeply and loved her entire family and loved helping others; the number of lives she touched is legendary.
We, her family and friends as well as our entire community, lost an extraordinary person, and she will forever be in our hearts and our souls. Words cannot truly express the amazing effect Susan has had on so many people as a daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, friend, mental health therapist and regent throughout the State of New Mexico. She lived an incomparable life.
Susan is survived by her husband, Edwin Tatum, of Clovis, New Mexico; two sons, Scott (Sheryl) Tatum, of Norman, Oklahoma, and Drew (Christina) Tatum, of Clovis; four grandchildren, Brooke and Zach, of Norman, Oklahoma, Gracelyn and Everett, of Clovis; Dr. Barbara Baker (Susan Foster), of Denver, Colorado; Sally (Melissa) Scott-Mullins, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three loyal dogs; and three needy yet loving horses. Susan was preceded in death by her parents.
