Cheryl Hayes Tatum

Cheryl "Shorty" Hayes Tatum, of Powder Springs, Georgia, passed away on September 8, 2026, at the age of 80. Born on December 2, 1945, in Bibb County, Alabama, to the late William and Jessie Hayes, Shorty lived her entire life in Powder Springs, where it seemed like everyone in town knew her by name - or rather, by her nickname. Standing just 4'11", she earned the name "Shorty" early on, and it stuck for the rest of her life.

Shorty was impossible to miss cruising around town in her white convertible Mustang, music turned all the way up. She didn't get her driver's license until she was 50 years old, but once she did, she made up for lost time - and made an entrance every time. She was one of a kind: feisty, spunky, and unmistakably the boss. She loved in her own way and wasn't one for outward displays of affection, but there was never any doubt - you always knew she loved you.

At home, she was a devoted homemaker who took care of her husband, her children, and their household with the same determination she brought to everything else. She had a deep love of flowers and music, and she was an avid collector - dolls and treasures of all kinds filled her home, each one a piece of the life she built.

Shorty's personality and spunk left a lasting impression on everyone who crossed her path, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David Tatum; and four siblings, Rudy Hayes, Earl Hayes, Tom Hayes, and Leslie Hayes.

She is survived by her son, James (Jana) Tatum; her daughters, Cindy (Bill Painter), and Kim (Rick) Everett; her grandchildren, Jessica (James) Farmer, Blake Teal, Payton Everett, and Aubrey Everett; her great-grandchildren, Lily Farmer and Levi Farmer; her sisters, Linda Breedlove and Jean Leach; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Clark Funeral Home on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 12:00 PM-3:00 PM. A funeral service will be held in the Sam Clark Chapel, beginning at 3:00 PM, with Pastor Tommy Chapman and Pastor Daniel Youngblood officiating. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Paulding Memorial Gardens with Payton Everett, Aubrey Everett, Bill Painter, James Farmer, Joe Bergbauer, and Frank Teal serving as pallbearers.

Thoughts and condolences may be left at www.samclarkfuneralhome.com.

Clark Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the services of Mrs. Cheryl "Shorty" Hayes Tatum.