Tatum Arianna Downey

Tatum Arianna Downey, 17, of McDonough, Georgia, passed away on November 9, 2026, leaving behind a family, countless friends, and a world that is a little less bright without her.

If there was one thing you could count on with Tatum, it was that you would never forget her. Vivacious, sassy, loving, funny, and just a little bossy, she had a personality that filled every room she entered. She was a girl who loved fiercely, laughed loudly, and made friends wherever she went. Tatum had an exuberant love for the people around her and an incredible desire to make everyone else happy, even on the days when she was struggling herself. Her heart was bigger than words could ever describe.

Tatum loved all things prissy and beautiful. Whether it was getting her nails done, changing her hair color, experimenting with lashes and makeup, or finding the perfect outfit, she loved expressing herself, feeling important, and making everything a little more fabulous. She enjoyed thrift shopping, adventures with friends, lake days, hiking, fast cars, big trucks, and making tiktoks all hours of the day. She loved her dog Mae and her cat Apollo, and could never turn down Taco Bell, sushi, matcha, Red Bull, or a Baja Blast. She loved being cozy in all things fuzzy, singing along to Hamilton, and anything Disney. Her nails were practically guaranteed to be a different design every week, because staying the same was never really Tatum’s style.

But beyond all the things she loved, what made Tatum truly special was the way she loved people. She had a gift for making connections, bringing people together, and making others feel special. She was always ready to help someone, share a laugh, or turn an ordinary day into an adventure. Her vibrant personality and loving heart left an impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Tatum leaves behind her loving mother, Bobbie Jo Downey; her brother, Justin Meeks; and her sister, Layla Downey. She is also survived by her grandparents, Robert and Virginia Downey and Kathy Waters; her aunts, Tina Reece, Tana Carder, and Kristi McCravy; her uncles, Drew Waters and Bryan Carder; her great-grandmother, Joyce Spruill; her great-aunt, Beverly Brannon; and her cousins, Lacey, Luke, Audrey, Aiden, Jax, Karoline, Brecklan, Georgia, Sean, and Alyx. She also leaves behind her loving boyfriend, Ethan Daucher, along with many friends whose lives were made better simply because Tatum was part of them.

Tatum was a light so incredibly bright in this world. Seventeen years was not nearly enough time, and there will forever be dreams, adventures, and milestones that should have had her name written all over them. The love she gave, the laughter she shared, and the memories she created will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

There is no way to measure a life by the number of years it lasted. Tatum’s life will be measured by the love she gave, the people she touched, and the pieces of herself she left behind in all of us.

She was loved beyond measure, she will be missed beyond words, and she will forever be our girl.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 20, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 640 McGarity Road, McDonough, Georgia 30252. Family and friends are invited to come together to celebrate Tatum’s life, share memories, and honor the beautiful girl she will always be remembered as.

We all love you so much Tatum, with all of your charisma, sunshine, and spicy sweetness.