Lauren E. Tatum

Lauren Elizabeth Tatum, age 30, of Gaithersburg, MD passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at home with her mother and close friend, Ebony Warren, by her side after a four year-long struggle with Colon Cancer.

She was born in Washington, DC on September 16, 1991 to Denise Johnson and Richard Tatum and was raised by her mother and step-father Kevin V. Johnson, Sr. She graduated from Gaithersburg High School and continued on to receive a Bachelors degree in English from University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in 2013.

Lauren's passions were cooking and activism. During her high school years, she focused on Culinary Arts and participated in state-wide cooking competitions. She became an excellent cook and originally attended UMES as a Culinary Arts major but found her love of activism while serving as the Student Government Association Secretary in her freshman year. She spent her four years volunteering and assisting with campus activities, and it was at this time that she met and forged lifelong friendships.

After graduation she began her career at JMA Solutions and then with the African American Health Program of Montgomery County (AAHP). While at AAHP, she assisted in the mission to eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life for African Americans in Montgomery County.

In 2017, tragedy struck Lauren's life when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Her diagnosis took her by surprise, and she vowed to share her journey every step of the way to bring awareness to Young Adult cancer. From the very beginning she declared that she was a MIRACLE IN THE MAKING! Instead of feeling sorry for herself she jumped into action and hosted a health fair for her birthday in partnership with AAHP. She lent her voice to Fight Colorectal Cancer, The Ulman Foundation, American Cancer Society, Colon Cancer Alliance, and Cancer Fighters. She spoke at various events and organizations throughout the DC Metropolitan area. She was chosen as an Ambassador for Fight Colorectal Cancer in 2019. During that time, she represented the organization at various events, participated in the Call on Congress with others from around the country, appeared of Fox News with Allison Seymour, and even had her photo on the NASDAQ Board in Times Square as a face of Colon Cancer. She spoke constantly of her faith and leaning on God to get her through her fight.

Lauren received her treatment from University of Maryland Cancer Center and then John Hopkins Cancer Center and impressed every doctor, nurse and staff member with her strength and faith. Lauren's love for helping went beyond cancer awareness. She organized toy drives at Christmas, Thanksgiving Baskets and clothing drives for area shelters and underprivileged families in Montgomery County - just because she was led to.

Lauren met and became engaged to Eric Noel and they went on to welcome two sons: Xavier Markel and Zahir Kevin Noel. Lauren was a very attentive mother to her two children and worked very hard to provide them with everything that they needed to overcome their special needs. She became a Parent Coordinator with MCPS and an in-school volunteer when Xavier began attending Waters Landing Elementary School.

Lauren was strong in her faith which was first cultivated at Scotland AME Zion Church in Potomac, MD where she was a member of Children's Church and The Youth Ministry. She later joined Reid Temple AME North (now Kingdom Fellowship AME Church) in Silver Spring, MD where she was Baptized. The Kingdom Fellowship AME Family surrounded her with prayers and assistance when her children were born and when she was diagnosed with cancer. For six years, Rev. Camille Johnson and Sis. Tee Skinner have visited Lauren, prayed with Lauren and covered Lauren, including administering the Communion elements just days before her passing.

Lauren leaves to cherish her life: Eric Noel; sons, Xavier and Zahir Noel; mother, Denise; brother, Kevin Jr.; sister-in-love, Luly; brother, Lorenzo Wilson; father, Richard Tatum (Liliana); grandparents, Maryann Jacobs, Muriel Tatum, and Richard Tatum (Olive); great-aunt, Rosemarie Bullard; great-uncles, Benjamin Jackson, Thomas Jackson (Ivy), Clyde Jackson (Cathy), and Robert Jackson (Pam); aunts, Carolyn Gray (Everett), Tina Cunningham, Terri Hinds, Dedra Jacobs, Cecilia Bell (George), Daphne Diddell, and Leslie Tatum; uncles, John Cunningham, Allen Dove (Karen), Mitchell Dove (Shonda), and Mark Tatum (Brenda); godparents, Valerie Jacobs, Rosemarie Jackson, Kip Wilson, and Steve Sullivan; and a host of cousins and lifelong friends.

Lauren was preceded in death by her: brother, Kyle James Johnson; dad, Kevin Van Johnson, Sr.; grandparents, Allen Dove, Sr., Johnny Jacobs, Florence and John Jackson, and Clifton and Marjorie Johnson; uncle, Gavin Hinds; and cousin, Jessica Stevenson-Ashley.

Lauren's services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 (see details below). The viewing is open to the public and the funeral is by invite only. Guests must register beforehand by cutting and pasting the following link:
https://www.fellowshiponegiving.com/App/Form/ce783ac5-5214-42a1-a1d5-45d983c13c72

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