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First-Grader Eulogized At Emotional Funeral

Tribune photo by JAY NOLAN

Photographs of Tatum Christine Michelle Johnson were displayed in the lobby at the Van Dyke United Methodist Church.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 14, 2008

LUTZ - Tatum Christine Michelle Johnson loved Valentine's Day. She reveled in the lacey pink cards and flowers and candy, and making valentines with her classmates.

Thursday, the 7-year-old first-grader at Mort Elementary School should have been exchanging those little cards and messages of friendship written in crayon with her friends.

Instead, she was buried.

About 150 people, ranging in age from the very young to the very old, attended the service for Tatum at Van Dyke United Methodist Church. Friends, relatives and teachers offered glimpses into the short life of the child, who was killed last week when she was struck by a car on a road near her home in Lutz.

Everyone said Tatum loved Valentine's Day.

Classmates, dealing with the grief, decided to make valentines and present them to Tatum's father, Michael, at the funeral. Two desks in the front lobby of the church displayed nearly 100 valentines, one of which read:

"Roses are red,
"Violets are blue,
"Sugar is sweet.
"And so was your little girl."

Some were misspelled, most were written at a first-grader's slant. All had the same sentiment: Tatum was special to everyone she met.

"I will miss Tatum," read another card. "I hope she has a good nights sleep in hevan."

Some of Tatum's classroom artwork also was framed and given to her family.

Tatum was struck by a neighbor's car Feb. 8 while she played on a dirt road near her home off East 148th Avenue, Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said. She died at University Community Hospital.

On the stage inside the church was a large white flower arrangement in the shape of a heart. Across the middle was a jagged row of red flowers, symbolizing a break. Young and old wept during different parts of the ceremony and when photographs were shown on two large screens on either side of the stage.

Jeanne Niemi, Tatum's kindergarten teacher, nearly broke down in showing everyone the valentine messages her class had made in honor of their fallen classmate.

"I loved her so much," Niemi said. "She meant the world to me. She will be in our hearts forever."

Michael Johnson talked about how proud he was of his daughter and how he prayed with her every night until she went to sleep.

"She touched people's lives in so many ways," he said haltingly. "This is the hardest thing I think I have ever had to do. But I'm finding strength in the things she left behind."

His daughter had a mind of her own and wasn't afraid to voice her opinions, "even to me," he said.

"Tatum," he said. "I love you and we will miss you. I know you're in a better place, but as your earthly father, I have the right to mourn you, child; to grieve for you and to love you.

"We will never, ever forget you."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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