Thomas Earl Latham

Funeral Services will be 2:00PM Thursday 8/18/22 at Fellowship Baptist Church in Bellefontaine, MS with burial in North Union Cemetery. The Graveside/Committal Services will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church instead of North Union Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00PM until 8:00PM Wednesday 8/17/22 at Oliver Funeral Home and 1:00PM until 2:00PM Thursday at Fellowship Baptist Church. Thomas Earl Latham, 84, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on August 13, 2022. He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 51 years, Nina Kay Evans Latham of Bellefontaine, MS, and his grandson Mathew Roberts of Texas. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchild were his pride and joy. He leaves behind his daughter DeAn Roberts, her husband Michael, granddaughter Quin and great-grandson Jaxton, his son Greg Latham, wife Julie, four grandchildren, Elizabeth, Katherine, Allison, and James Thomas. He is preceded in death by his sister Daisy Anthony, and his brothers Jim Latham and Bobby Latham. He is succeeded in death by his 94-year-old brother Haze Latham of Pomona Park, Florida. He dearly loved all his family including many nieces and nephews, and their families. Thomas Earl was raised in the Mt. Zion Community. He has many wonderful memories of growing up with his family by his side. As a young boy, after school and during the summers, he worked at Child’s Grocery in Eupora. He graduated from Eupora High School in 1957, then attended Wood Jr. College and on to Delta State. Upon graduation in 1962, he worked as a 7th and 8th grade Math teacher at the Florida Military School in DeLand, Florida. In 1966 Earl began working for Brown & Root Construction Company. He then married his beautiful wife Nina Kay on December 22, 1968. Thomas Earl retired in June of 1990, purchased what then was called Bellefontaine Grocery, moved his family back to Mississippi, and renamed his store Latham’s Grocery. He served the Bellefontaine community well for 13 years before retiring once again to become Nina Kay’s full-time caregiver. He continued to serve the Bellefontaine community and others by teaching himself to cook and bake and share with those around him. Thomas Earl has been described by his family and friends as funny, hardworking, generous, loving, and caring. Thomas Earl served the Lord well by serving others. He will be greatly missed by all of those who loved him dearly.