Tatum named Honorary State President for Life
At the virtual state meeting held via Zoom in February, the Arkansas State Society United States Daughters of 1812 outgoing State President Kay Tatum, was unanimously elected to the position of Honorary State President for Life. However, she was not able to receive the special sash until May when members were able to meet at the Pine Buff Country Club, a news release said.
“This sash denotes the service given by previous state president and the conferring of the title Honorary State President for Life,” it said.
“Tatum worked tirelessly for both the Pine Bluff chapter and the state society from 2018-2021 and during that time was recognized for her accomplishments on behalf of the society. She received the national society’s Historian’s Award and the Spirit of 1812 Award,” it said.
Hot Springs Village resident Sheila Beatty-krout is the only other honorary state president to be honored with the title and the two awards.
“Bringing much honor and recognition from the national society to the Arkansas Society, Tatum’s accomplishments include the marking and dedicating graves of Veterans buried in Arkansas who served in the War of 1812. These graves include 17 who are buried at Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock. She also was responsible for the addition of 634 War of 1812 Veterans’ names to the War of 1812 Memorial Fountain located at the Capitol. Tatum was successful in her lobbying efforts when Senate Bill 553 was approved. This Bill protects Arkansas monuments. The Arkansas Society between 2018-2021 donated over $90,000 for Veterans under Tatum’s leadership. During her term she still found time to volunteer for the VA as a U.S.D. 1812 VAVS Deputy Representative and a No Veteran Dies Alone Volunteer,” the release said.
It is estimated she traveled nearly 6,000 miles on behalf of U.S.D. 1812 during her threeyear term.
For information regarding the activities of the Arkansas Society U.S.D. 1812 or membership, email state president Jerrie Townsend at jerriet51@icloud.com.
U.S.D. 1812 has chapters in Texarkana, Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Bella Vista.