Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
Jewell Sidney Ford Tatom, 88, formerly of Punta Gorda, FL, passed peacefully on August 13, 2018 at her residence in Charlotte, NC, surrounded by her daughters.
Sidney was born in Montgomery, AL on October 23, 1929 – six days before the stock market crashed. The start of her life during such a turbulent time in the Nation’s history set the stage for what can only be described as a life of undaunted courage.
Sidney grew up in Luverne, AL, the daughter of the late Doctor Julian Clifford Ford and Emma Jewell Walker Ford. Being raised during the Great Depression instilled the need to be prepared for anything that life brings one’s way. Inquisitive and determined, Sidney attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and graduated in 1951 with a double major in Chemistry and Mathematics.
While pursuing a doctorate in biochemistry at Duke University, she met her future husband, Louis Tatom, III, M.D. They married in 1953 and had two daughters – Sarah, born in 1956 and Nancy, born in 1958.
In 1959, Louis, a general surgeon, became a medical missionary and took the family to Bolivia. The time there was to be doubly tragic for Sidney: she lost a third child at full-term pregnancy in 1960, and Louis died in a landslide car accident in 1961. Sidney returned to Florida directly after Louis’s passing and earned her Master’s in Education from the University of Florida. As a widow, she was first a chemistry teacher at Sarasota High School; subsequently, she worked for the state of Florida in Health and Human Services.
Her residence during retirement was in Punta Gorda, Florida. There, she cultivated her strong passion for plants and flowers by becoming a Master Gardener with Charlotte County. Her yard was a bromeliad’s paradise. She also nurtured her love of family history, writing a volume of the Ford family history and becoming Regent of the local DAR chapter. She enjoyed singing with the Charlotte Chorale, traveling nationally and internationally, and reading voraciously. In her own words, she was a “dynamo” and met all of her life’s challenges with fierce determination and a dry sense of humor.
She moved to Charlotte in 2017 and was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Huntersville.
Sidney is most remembered for her generous and loving spirit, her great intellect and sense of humor, and her insatiable curiosity and love of reading.
She was strong, happy, and laughing into her final days, surrounded by those who knew and loved her the most.
She is survived by her two daughters, Sarah Tatom Myers and Nancy Tatom, and her three granddaughters, Rachel Touchstone, Hannah Myers, and Rebecca Myers Noe.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (http://www.lls.org/). A memorial service will be announced by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Gainesville, FL.
Carolina Cremation is assisting the the Tatom family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Dolly Tomalinas says
Sidney, you will always be remembered for all the hours you gave unselfishly, to
the Charlotte County Master Gardener organization. It was a pleasure knowing you. I have a beautiful shrub in my garden, you gave me the cutting and I will think of you when I see this plant every day. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Lynette Theisen says
Thank you Sidney for being such a wonderful friend and mentor. I will always be grateful for
your encouragement and support in helping me in my genealogy research and achieving
membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. Your graciousness and wit will
be with me always. The world is a much better place for your presence in it.
Lynette (Lynn) Theisen
Allan J. Theisen says
I met Sidney through the Florida Master Gardeners program. I worked with her many times at the “call-in” desk and on various committees. It was easily recognized that Sidner was an intelligent and elegant lady. I never heard her raise her voice or speak poorly of anyone. She was a natural leader, always listening to others and willing to compromise. She will be missed very much. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.
Dr. Lucy Huyke Garner says
Sídney, with gratitude during your mentorship during my tenure with the Division of Vocational Reahabilitation, in Punta Gorda and Ft. Myers, Fl. You was a very special, caring and responsible supervisor. Also, you cared and participated in our community during your retirement and you was a strong woman visionary. My sincere condolences to your daughters and grandchildren.