Helen E. Nottingham Rhoades Tatum, 92, passed from the struggles of this life into the beauty and healing of heaven the evening of May 28, 2025. 

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. at Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early.

Helen’s life began with her birth in Lampasas County on October 24, 1932, to her parents Joe and Eula Nottingham.  They moved on to Gatesville where she was raised, becoming a star high school basketball guard.  After graduation she enrolled into a nursing program in Stephenville and became a surgical nurse employed in Brownwood at Medical Arts Hospital and Brownwood Community Hospital.  She was married to Raymond Lee Rhoades until his sudden death August 23, 1968.  About two years later an arrangement was made at a golf driving range where she was to meet Donald Lee Tatum, with two kids in tow, and a love relationship began.  They married February 14, 1970, and they were married for 17 years before his death August 21, 1987.  She continued working as a nurse in local physician’s offices until she retired and entered local politics in Early by serving on the city council and then with the Early Chamber of Commerce in which she thoroughly loved every minute promoting her hometown.  She also loved her Lord and her church family of Early First Baptist Church and served in different ministries. 

Helen is survived by her brother, J. D. Nottingham of Georgia; son Gary Tatum of Georgetown; daughter Gayla Tatum May and her husband Philip D. May of Georgetown.  Blessed with grandchildren Jenna May Cox and husband Travis, Philip T. May, and Kara May Fisk and husband Theron; twins George Murphy and Alex Murphy of Connecticut.  Further blessed with five great grandchildren: twins Genevieve and Harper Fisk, Ridley Fisk; twins Reagan and Susie Cox, as well as several nephews and nieces.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, four sisters, and two brothers.

Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to Helen’s family online at heartlandfuneralhome.com