Senior Master Sargeant (Ret.) Noble Ray Tatum reported for duty in God's Kingdom in the early morning of July 15th, 2025. He was born May 17th, 1933 to Marvin and Beulah Tatum in Concord, AR. Ray attended and graduated from Concord public schools in 1951 and join the United States Air Force in 1952. He served during the Korean conflict at K1 Puson-West, South Korea and would work for all four air force major commands: Military Airlift Command, Strategic Air Command, Tactical Airlift Command and Air Training Command doing stints at Hunter AFB, (GA), Clinton-Sherman AFB (OK), Little Rock AFB, Wurtsmith AFB (MI), and Ramey AFB (Puerto Rico). Master Sargeant Tatum served a tour in Vietnam in 1967-68 and was awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious service while stationed in Bien Hua during the Tet Offensive where his base was overrun by enemy forces. Upon his return stateside he was assigned to Edwards AFB (CA), later in Bitburg AFB (Germany) and Barksdale AFB (LA) before retiring in 1975.

Afterward he would finish his working career as the Director of Facility Housekeeping at (formerly) Central Arkansas General Hospital in Searcy, AR. Ray would marry Trilby Joyce (TJ) Gaines on March 22, 1980 and they would reside in Little Rock until their permanent move to Greers Ferry later in the mid 90s. Ray would serve on the Greer's Ferry Westside School Board for 10 years and loved his time in the stands supporting his beloved Eagles.

Noble Ray is survived by his wife of 45 years Trilby Joyce (Gaines), his children, sons Alan Ray Tatum of Jacksonville and Nelson Randell Tatum of Heber Springs and daughter Sandi Deniece Schuchardt of Maumelle. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren and remembered by dozens of cherished nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.