Edith Latham (Tarver)

Funeral service for Edith Tarver Latham, 81, of Ferriday, La. will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday June 27, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Ferriday with Bro. Wayne Gray officiating. Interment will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home of Ferriday. The family will receive friends at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday from 5:00 to 7:00 Pm Tuesday June 26, 2012. Edith Tarver Latham was born June 15, 1931 in Harrisonburg, La., the only child of John Glover and Cleo Chapman Tarver. She graduated Salutatorian of the 1948 H.H.S. and was also named to the LA All-State Basketball team of 1948. She attended Northwestern State University, graduating in 1951. She was also a member of Pi Kappa Sigma Sorority. She was preceded in death by her husband William “Bill” Latham after 49 and 1/2 years of marriage, and her parents. She is survived by four daughters, Melody and her husband Marshall Breland of Alto, LA., Jill and her husband Dr. Raymond Brown of Lake Concordia, Penny and husband Dr. Huey Moak of Lake Concordia, and Mittie and husband Jesse Tregre of Des Allemands, LA.; nine granddaughters, April Newman, of Monterey, Emily Lehigh and husband Dusty, Candice Giles and husband Zachary, all of Vicksburg, MS., Nanci Kemp, of Vidalia, Jessi Jones, of Monroe, Katie Moak of Shreveport, Julie Moak of Ruston, Heather Wilkinson of Vidalia, Jami Blanchard of Gonzales; and one grandson, Shane Breland and wife Heather, of Madison, MS; Great-Grandchildren, Blake Walsworth, Jessie Mount, Adam and Jillian Kemp, Matthew and Hannah Breland, Julia and Hudson Lehigh, Eli Jones, Zoie Kramer, Noah Kenny, and Blayden and Autumn Giles; one great-great grandchild; and a number of step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren. Mrs. Latham was a retired Home Economist with LA. Power and Light Co. and later Entergy with over 30 years service, having worked in nine parishes in North and Central LA. She also taught school when her children were small. She was active in the First Baptist Church in Ferriday, having taught Sunday school and discipleship training as well as a member of the choir. Her latest ministry was a home bible study for the older ladies. They had Sunday school Monday school each week. She was also active in civic work in her community, a long time member of the Ferriday Community Service Club, serving as president at which time the club founded the Vidalia Women’s Club. She was also past president of the Concordia Parish CowBelles Association, past president of the 5th District LA Federation of Women’s Club and chairman of the Huntington School Board. She also served on the LA State Art Grant and Review Board, and did volunteer work for the Ferriday Chamber of Commerce, the Delta Music Museum, and Heritage Manor Nursing Home. She was also a member of the Ridgecrest Love Circle. She was named as a member of the Outstanding Young Women of America and was presented 1969, 70, 71 National awards for her writings and work by the American Home Appliance Manufacturing Association. She also authored several cookbooks and Educational Programs. Pallbearers will be Dr. Raymond Brown, Dr. Huey Moak, Marshall Breland, Dustin Lehigh, Shane Breland, Zachary Giles. Honorary Pallbearers will be, Marion Newman, Bill Colvin, Wayne Miley, Robert Dodd, Donnie Daye, Steve Sanders, Alfred Hamby, Warren Enterkin, Ronald Manchester, Red Robertson, and Brant Barnette.

Edith Latham (Tarver)

June 15, 1931 - June 24, 2012