Tamara Gayle Wickham

Tamara “Tammy” Gayle Burris Wickham passed away on August 22, 2023 after succumbing to the effects of cancer. She died at the age of 54 as a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend.

Tammy was born in Evansville, Indiana on October 7, 1968 to Linda Gayle Warner. She grew up in Florida and was adored by her mother and grandparents, Howard and Pearl Warner. Tammy was easy to raise and kind to everyone. She was a hard worker at an early age. Tammy attended Lake Gertie private school, Deland Junior High, and Father Lopez private school in Florida, and then graduated from Mead High School in Spokane, Washington. She attended Whitworth College in Spokane and then Florida State University.

Tammy was adopted by Allen Eugene Burris in 1976, following his marriage to Linda Gayle Warner. As a result, Tammy gained a life-long brother, Jay Burris, son to Allen. Tammy joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1983 after missionary visits with the family in their home.

As a teenager, Tammy was an exceptional volleyball player with a dynamic serve. She loved 80’s music and her Renault Fuego car. She loved to have her little brothers tag along for trips and always seemed to be dating some hunk from high school. As a sister, she was everything a sibling could ever wish for: kind, loving, supportive, protective, and a bit mischievous (movies were always better when Tammy chose them).

Tammy married the love of her life, Stephen Benjamin Wickham, in the Logan, Utah temple on September 4, 1998. Tammy always dreamed of being a mother, and her cherished gift from Heavenly Father, Savannah May Wickham, was born June 7, 2001. The family lived in Smithfield, Cove, and eventually built their dream home in Beaver Dam, Utah. Her home has Tammy’s personality throughout it. One cannot be in her home without all senses experiencing her.

Tammy always worked to support her family. She worked closely in the Burris family businesses over the years including most recently supporting Burris Appraisals.

Tammy enjoys peace and quiet, Yellowstone, all things sports, and being with her loving family, Stephen and Savannah. Tammy’s pets were part of the family and well cared for. She also loved her southern heritage and enjoyed bringing those flavors into her cooking. We will miss the peanut butter balls and southern banana pudding!

Tammy was an excellent artist. She designed one of the early logos for the Panther soccer club in Cache Valley, Utah. Each winter she displayed her own hand-painted Christmas village that would light up her home during the dark days of winter.


Tammy loves all months ending in “ber”. September ushered in college football (go Florida State University!), cooler weather, earth tone colors, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas!

Tammy is Mrs. Christmas! She loved to give thoughtful gifts and looked forward to it year round. She started her Christmas planning in January and gathered gifts during the year. Tammy is known as the best gift giver. She welcomed the holidays by decorating her home with precision and care, including selecting only the best Christmas trees and ornaments.

Tammy is a giver. Shortly before her passing, she stated, “I enjoy the things that just make you so happy”. Everything that mattered to you, mattered to her. All the good in her cannot adequately be expressed. To her siblings, she was a second mother. To her parents, she was an amazing daughter. To her daughter, she was the greatest mother. And to her husband, she was a wife like no other. She was, and is, simply amazing! We love you, Tammy!

Tammy is survived by her husband Stephen, daughter Savannah, parents Linda and Allen Burris, siblings: Jay, David (Tiffany), Adam (Sara), Andrew, Daniel (Whitney), and Jennifer (Robert) and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held at the Beaver Dam Ward Chapel from 6:00-8:00 PM on August 28 at 16025 N Beaver Dam Rd Beaver Dam, UT 84306.

On August 29 another viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 AM, at the same location, prior to the funeral service scheduled from 11:00 - 12:00 at the Beaver Dam Ward Chapel.