FLORA LATHAM - Flora Bettie Gammill Latham, age 91, of Starkville, MS, passed away May 27, 2012, at Oktibbeha County Hospital. Funeral services will be Monday, May 28, 2012, at 4:00 PM at Lebanon United Methodist Church of Eupora, MS. Vistation is one hour prior to the service and the interment will immediately follow in the church cemetery. Gunter & Peel Funeral Home of Columbus, MS, was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Latham was born December 20, 1920, in Reform, MS, to the late Rufus Lynch and Bertha Margaret Crowder Gammill. At an early age she was baptized at the Antioch Methodist Church where her family were prominent members. She had two sisters, Lucille Gammill Moncrief (deceased) and Geneva Gammill Oswalt, and a brother, Doyle Gammill (deceased). She was a 1939 graduate of Reform High School where she was valedictorian. She attended Draughns Business College in Jackson, MS. She began her business career in Ackerman, MS, working for the Chancery Clerk, Tax Assessor, Sherif's Office and Ration Board. For 13 years, she was the bookkeeper for Mathiston Motor Company. She was honored many times by Ford Motor Company for her perfect bookkeeping abilities. Fora married Thomas Albert Latham from Eupora, MS, on June 14, 1953. She joined his church, Lebanon Methodist Church, where she was a prominent member for the remainder of her life. She served as secretary and treasurer for many years at the church. She attended annual conference of the United Methodist Church for many years along side Albert. She began working with Agricultural Stabilization and Conservations Service in 1960 and did so until March 1985 when she retired. Flora was an active member of the Home Demonstration Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she served as Regent. She also assisted in editing the Webster Country History book and has long been a genealogist for the Gammill, Cochran, Crowder and Miller families. Flora also was a talented seamstress, creating numerous garments for herself and her family. After her retirement, she pieced and quilted countless beautiful quilts. She also enjoyed painting with oils, particularly landscapes and flowers. Flora was noted for her wonderful cakes, which she created for weddings, anniversaries, and celebrations for friends in the community and beyond. In 2004, Flora and Albert moved to Trinity Place in Columbus, MS. They spend eight wonderful years there. Flora and Albert are survived by one child, Flora Lynette Latham McDougald. Lynette is marred to Reverend Ron McDougald. Lynette is on the faculty at Mississippi State University where she teaches in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in Floriculture. She also manages the University Florist. Ron is the pastor at Shiloh United Methodist Church near Pelahatchie, MS. Flora is survived by three grandchildren, Rebecca and her fiance Tom Bennitt, of Oxford, MS, Rob of New Orleans, LA, and his friend Ariel Spengler, and Beth, and her partner Eric Cranford, of Starkville, MS. Family members will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Lebanon United Methodist Church, 1118 Lebanon Road, Eupora, MS, 39744.
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