In loving memory of our beloved

Tanya Denise Culliver-Whitlow was born on May 21, 1965 in Sacramento, California to Cleve and
Inez Culliver. Growing up in Rio Linda, California, she attended Rio Linda High School where she was an
excellent student. She was the head choreographer of the school's "Song Leaders" dance group and was
elected Homecoming Queen during her senior year.
Tanya was the epitome of kindness, thoughtfulness, and simply a beautiful spirit. Her calm and
caring demeanor is one of the many things that she will be remembered for, in addition to her infectious
smile, laughter, and overall dignified manner. At the age of 15, she met a young man by the name of
Aaron Whitlow, and they quickly became the best of friends. Aaron recognized those same alluring traits
in her as a teen and fell in love. Their relationship continued to blossom over the next 15 years, and they
married in 1995. Two years later, they welcomed their only child, Alexandria, into the world.
Tanya loved dance! Her avid love of dance began at an early age when she was enrolled in
ballet classes at the Sherri Kirk Dance School as a kindergartener and continued into her teens as she
performed in shows such as Sacramento's "Best of Broadway". She continued her journey through
dance while attending UC Davis as an undergraduate student. During this time, she was a member of the
university-based company, Black Repertory Dance Troupe. Tanya graduated from UC Davis with a
bachelor's degree in psychology in 1988. Still passionate about dance, she later moved to New York City
where she trained with the world renown Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
After making the decision to not pursue dance as a professional career, Tanya returned to
Sacramento to begin her life's work servicing minority and underrepresented students through a variety
university programs. Tanya was dedicated to supporting and ensuring the success of her students in the
field of engineering and worked tirelessly to be a resource and advocate for all students. Tanya was a
consummate professional in engineering student affairs for more than 25 years at UC Davis. She
designed, developed, and directed the LEADR Program - a program with the mission to recruit, retain,
and graduate, diverse student populations from the College of Engineering. Prior to LEADR, she served
as a retention coordinator and interim director of the UC Davis Mathematics, Engineering, Science
Achievement (MESA) Minority Engineering Program and as a student affairs officer in the Engineering
Dean's Office. Her desire to help students from historically underserved populations achieve and thrive
through the pursuit of higher education began before the start of her tenure at UC Davis. Tanya also
worked with Upward Bound at UC Berkeley and Success Through Collaboration, MESA's American Indian
Program.
In addition to being a UC Davis alumna, Tanya received her Master's Degree in Higher Education
at CSU Sacramento in 2006. Her dedication and commitment were often recognized with awards such
as the Martin Luther King Social Justice Award, African American Faculty and Staff Association (2013);
Chancellor's Achievement Award for Diversity and Community (2014); and the Michele Dyke
Humanitarian Award, UC Davis African Continuum (2019).

Tanya loved her entire family dearly, and they loved her just as much. Her favorite times were
when the family was able to get together for any occasion, including just to hang out. We will truly miss
her smile, her laughter, her quick wit, her sass and especially the love that she extended to us all.

Tanya was baptized at New Testament Baptist Church on August 22, 1976 by Reverend C.L.
Cummings. She loved the Lord and His word and would frequently discuss scriptures with family
members. Her favorite Old testament scripture was Proverbs 3:5-6 and her favorite New testament
scripture was John 14:27.
Tanya is preceded in death by her father, Staff Sgt. Cleve Culliver, and is survived by her mother,
Inez Culliver, her husband Aaron Whitlow, daughter Alexandria Whitlow, brother Patton Culliver
(Sherail), brother Mitchell Culliver (Bonnie), sister Carolyn Seward, sister Cheryl Carter (Darryl,
deceased), sister Tracey Culliver, nephew Michael Culliver, niece Nina Culliver and a host of aunts,
uncles, and cousins.

Back Page of Obit

Our family would like to extend our deepest appreciation for all of the phone calls, text
messages, emails, cards, letters, flowers and other expressions of love received from all of you
during this time.

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work and play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of day
If my parting has left a void.
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seems all too brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Life up your heart and share with me,

God wanted me now
He set me free.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the United Negro College Fund thank you!

https://engineering.ucdavis.edu/news/memoriam-tanya-whitlow

https://secure2.convio.net/uncf/site/SPageNavigator/2016Donate.html?_ga=2.144885044.1023330363.1620945517-510761560.1620945517

Link to watch funeral on 5/20/21

https://client.tribucast.com/ tcid/8371971369