Deanous K. Tatum

Deanous K. Tatum, 67, died peacefully in her sleep on May 1, 2008 in a San Angelo hospital.

Deanous K. Lindemann was born to Roland and Eva Christine Wood Lindemann on September 8, 1940. Born in the old Ballinger Hospital, she was a life-long Ballinger resident.

After attending 11 years of school in Ballinger, the Lindemann family moved to Pecos just prior to Mrs. Tatum’s senior year. She completed the necessary hours for graduation at Pecos. However, Mr. Joe Forrester, Principal of Ballinger High School, allowed Deanous to walk across the stage to receive her diploma with her Ballinger High School class in May of 1959. She attended Wayland Baptist College and returned to attend San Angelo College (Angelo State University) along with several of her high school chums.

Upon returning to Ballinger, she worked for Lone Star Gas and Dr. Cook, making many friends at each position. She was married to Billy Farrand Tatum, Doctor of Chiropractic, on July 24, 1965 at the First Baptist Church in Ballinger with Rev. Ferris Akins officiating.

Then a wonderful blessing came Christmas Eve 1975 who they named Regina Deanous Tatum. She was all dressed up in a big, red stocking. A second blessing, named Sean Farrand Tatum, came on the first of April, 1979. This completed their beautiful family.

During the children’s younger years, Mrs. Tatum stayed home, but as they got older she went to work as a teacher’s aide at Ballinger Elementary School, working mostly with second and third grade teachers and students. She retired after 19 years with the Ballinger Independent School District. Many of the teachers and students will remember her dedication. Even when she was going for dialysis several times a week, she was at school as much as possible.

Mrs. Tatum was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a brother, Mickell Duane Lindemann.

She is survived by her daughter, Regina Lederhos and her husband, Adam, of North Richland Hills; her son, Sean Tatum of San Angelo; and a sister, Mickie Marlene Bubenik and her husband, Larry, of Dallas.

An event for which Deanous had waited many years will soon occur: the birth of her first grandchild. Regina and Adam Lederhos are awaiting the imminent arrival of Miss Abigail Sierra.

Mrs. Tatum dearly loved her nieces and nephews of two generations. They were always in her heart and on her mind, even in her last coherent days. They are Janya Jackson Kieffer, her husband, Eric, and their twin daughters, Ava and Cambry, of Dallas; Christopher Lindemann, his wife, Tasha, and their daughter, Tatum, of Midland; Michele Lindemann Belk, her husband, Harley, and their children, Maci, Ashton, Colton, and Braden of Norton; and Stacy Lindemann Rice, her husband, Darrell, and their sons, Payton and Zachary of Keller.

She is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and by special friends, Winton and Virginia Milliff of Robert Lee. As Regina’s and Sean’s godparents, Bill Deanous, Regina, and Sean always consider them family. Other survivors include her Thursday night dinner bunch, many wonderful friends, and several hundred former students.

Mrs. Tatum was a gentle soul who would do everything she could for anyone in need. Following her husband’s death in 2004, she enjoyed traveling with her friends. Her eyesight prevented her from doing the reading she enjoyed and from doing craft projects. She was the best friend a person could have and will be greatly missed by many. Her death is a great loss to the Ballinger Community and the loss of one more native Ballingerite.

There will be a time of visitation for family and friends on Saturday, May 3rd from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home. Services for Deanous K. Tatum are scheduled for Sunday, May 4th at 2:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Ballinger. Burial will follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Ballinger, Texas where she will be interred beside her loving husband and be surrounded by her parents, her brother, and a baby niece.

Memorials may be made to Runnels County Meals on Wheels, 627 Strong Ave., Ballinger, TX 76821 or to the Kidney Foundation.

Services are under the direction of Lange Funeral Home. Guests may register at ballingerfuneralhome.com.