Payless Family Pharmacy changes ownership with Tatum family in attendance

Alan Tatum is someone that left a massive impact on the Sparta community, one that is still felt even today. The owner of Payless Pharmacy, Alan passed away in 2018, but his business still thrived thanks to his wife, Joyce, and his daughter and fellow pharmacist, Jennifer Tatum-Cranford. As a new owner takes head of the business, however, Payless wanted to do something to honor Alan’s memory, and Jonathan Allmon worked hard to make sure it was so with a ribbon cutting on two projects honoring Alan Tatum.

Allmon and his wife will be the new owners of Payless, but they are very determined to make sure the pharmacy still honors the legacy Alan left it with. To this end, a plaque dedicated to Alan was erected near the drive-thru window on the right side of the building. In addition, two benches have been placed out in front of the building on each side. One is dedicated to Alan Tatum, and the other dedicated to Hugh Officer, who was a pharmacist at Payless several years ago.

Allmon spoke before the ribbon cutting about the honor he felt being welcomed into the Payless Pharmacy, his relationship with Alan, and his mission moving forward.

“Alan was more than a pharmacist; he was a friend and a steady presence,” Allmon said. “Through Payless, he built a place people can be cared for. He had a lasting impact on many of us. He is the reason I am standing here today. He was my first pharmacy mentor, and I am truly blessed to have known him.”

Allmon actually had gotten his start with the pharmaceutical world back at the old Payless location, on Bockman Way. He had worked closely with Alan, and so he gladly took the chance to come to Sparta when the business needed his help.

Joyce Tatum also gave an emotional speech at the ceremony. She shared Alan’s wishes for Allmon to be the one to take over one day once he passed on. Allmon admitted that not even he knew that until that moment. Joyce Tatum also shared some of the business’s biggest achievements, such as when Payless once won the number one pharmacy award. She comedically added while laughing, “We changed a few things, but that was Jennifer’s fault.”

Joyce Tatum finished her speech saying, “Thank you Sparta for your love and your support. Everything that you have contributed to us. Every time you have helped us.”

After those brave speeches, Sparta-White County Chamber of Commerce and other community members joined together outside to commemorate the dedication to Alan Tatum’s legacy. Even if Payless Pharmacy is switching ownership to Jonathan Allmon, his past relationship with Tatum and dedication to the craft assures it can still be the location Sparta has come to know and love.