W.L. "Sonny" Latham Jr.

Mr. William Lawrence (Sonny) Latham, Jr., Age 86, passed away Sunday, November 17, 2019.  Visitation will be held Monday night November 18, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Ott and Lee Funeral Services, in Morton, MS.  Visitation will begin again at Bethlehem Baptist Church, in Forkville, MS, on Tuesday,  November 19, 2019, at 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM with the Funeral following at 11:00 AM.  Officiating the service will be Bro. Don Wilson and Bro. Charles Smith.  Burial will follow at Bethlehem Baptist with no graveside service.

W.L. (Sonny) was born December 4, 1932, in the city of Greenville, MS, to his parents William Lawrence Latham, Sr. and Nannie Gertrude Baker Latham.  At this time, there was a popular song entitled “Sonny Boy”.  The family began to call their son Sonny and through the years by that name he was known.  He graduated from Morton High School in 1950.  He then attended East Central Community College and graduated in 1952 and then joined the Army.  During this time while on furlough he met the Love of his life, Dreta Agnes Townsend of Lena, MS.  They were married on December 7, 1953.  They were stationed at Fort Lenard Wood, Missouri, for several months during the Korean Conflict.  After his service years they returned to Mississippi and lived in Lena, Morton, and finally in Forkville since 1969.

W.L. (Sonny) was preceded in death by his parents, William Lawrence Sr. and Gertrude Latham, Sister, Dorothy Jean Latham, and his Mother’s brother Verner Baker, that was raised in the home with him like a brother. W.L. is survived by his wife, Dreta Latham of  Forkville, MS; his sons Henry(Kathy Shaw) Latham of Ridgeland, MS; Jon (Theresa) Latham of Forkville; daughters, Julie (Richard) Latham, Lena, MS; and Jean (Terrell) Harvey, Kalem, MS; Grandchildren:Terran King, Ashleigh Rommerdale, Elizabeth Phillips, Deanna Dumas, Alicia Elliott, Erik Latham, Tracy Latham, Andrew Latham, Allison Harrell, Anna Hamilton, Maxwell Harvey, and Bethany Saxton.  Great Grandchildren: Jacob King, Blake King, Anna Claire Dickerson, Chandler Dickerson, Railey Rommerdale, Madison Phillips, Kailyn Phillips, Parker Dumas, Jaxson Elliott, Lexi Elliott, Ashlynn Elliott, Samuel Saxton, Tanner Saxton, Noah Harvey, Aubree Harvey, Saylor Harvey, Katiana Hayman, Ally Tyce Earls, Tell Hamilton, Willow Hamilton, Caroline Latham, Stella Latham, Eli Latham, and Mason Harrell.

W.L. was a Christian from an early age and trusted in Christ his entire life.  He became a Gideon in 1994 and was still a supporter until his death. It was always a Joy for him to be able to pass out Bibles anywhere he went. If he could, He would encourage you to send Bibles instead of flowers in his memory. W.L. was also known as a “Gardener for the Lord”.  In 2003 he started praying Jabez’s Prayer and that year He and Bobby Stacy gave away 1500 messes of turnip greens and two tons of squash.  One of his talents was writing poetry and each one was from “Sonny Boy”.

W.L. worked as a union carpenter for many years and developed a love for making crafts out of many different materials.  He was also an avid fisherman, hunter, and sportsman.  He loved basketball, football, and many other sports and trained his children to play and be team players.   Most nights Sonny and Dreta would cheer on many College teams, way into the night.

Pall Bearers will be Andrew Latham, Chris Harrell, Erik Latham, Jason Elliott, Max Harvey, and Will Hamilton.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Mac Baker, Bobbye Gail Rogers, Carol Craig, Debbie Beemon, Scott County Gideon’s, Bethlehem Baptist Church Deacons, Dale Caudill and Gerald Woods.