Leonard Latham
July 5, 1925 — March 15, 2020
Leonard Latham
Reverend Leonard V. Latham, 94 years, 8 months, and 10 days went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 15th, 2020 in Benton, Arkansas, previously of North Little Rock. Leonard was born on July 5th, 1925 in Appleton, Arkansas to Stanford Smith Latham and Mary Ida Wiley Latham.
He took great pride in serving the Lord as a Reverend in the Freewill Baptist Church, pastoring churches in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Lonoke Arkansas. He also spent 25 years driving a truck for Hiner Oil Company.
Leonard served in the Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCC Camp) at the age of 16, from October 1941 until June 1942. He served as a laborer building roads and running electric wire across parts of Arkansas.
He was inducted into the Army in August 1943 at the age of 18. He served in the South Pacific during World War II going to places such as New Guinea, Philippine Islands, Netherlands East Indies, and the Battle of Zig Zag Pass. For his service he was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, AP Theater Ribbon with three bronze service stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years, Billie Sue Banks Latham; son, Leonard Don Latham; daughter, Cathy Diane Latham Young; grandson, James E. "Jimmy" Stearns, Jr.; great-great granddaughter, Payton West; and brothers, Otho Latham and Elbert Latham.
He is survived by two sons: Bill Latham and Bob Latham and wife Brenda; daughter, Mary Stearns and husband James; brothers: Odell, George and Jim Latham; grandchildren: Teresa Wright and husband Richard, Heather Willcutt and husband Marty, Josh Jones and wife Rachel, James "Ricky" Young , and Angel Young ; great-grandchildren: Brittany Channell and husband Brooks, Lauren Stearns and partner Kevonte Thornton, Gabby Wright, Brandon West and wife Cait, Alesha West, Jody Wilkerson, Kassidy Young, Khloe Young, Tucker Jones, Stella Grace Jones, Anastasia Young, Sydney Young, Tristan Young, Quintin Young, and Madison Young; Great-Great Grandchildren: Bryleigh Channell, Brooklynn Channell, Tatum West, Latham West, Asher West, River Probert, Able Probert, and Karson Thornton due this month; and many family members and friends who love Leonard and will miss him always.
The family of Leonard Latham would like to thank the VA Home Care that cared for him for four years; the staff and friends of Mount Carmel Assisted Living Community for 3 ½ years that Leonard was a part of their big loving family; the staff at Alcoa Pines Health and Rehab for caring and loving him the last 1 ½ years of his life-Leonard loved you all and it was very obvious that you loved him-; and Saline Hospice for caring and loving Leonard the last ten months of his life-you were his "angels" who cared for him.
Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Thursday, March 19, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Funeral service, officiated by Bro. James Thurston, will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, March 20, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Graveside service, officiated by Bro. Terry Latham, will be held Friday, March 20, at 2:00 PM, at Shiloh Cemetery in Atkins, Arkansas.
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
Atkins, AR
He took great pride in serving the Lord as a Reverend in the Freewill Baptist Church, pastoring churches in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Lonoke Arkansas. He also spent 25 years driving a truck for Hiner Oil Company.
Leonard served in the Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCC Camp) at the age of 16, from October 1941 until June 1942. He served as a laborer building roads and running electric wire across parts of Arkansas.
He was inducted into the Army in August 1943 at the age of 18. He served in the South Pacific during World War II going to places such as New Guinea, Philippine Islands, Netherlands East Indies, and the Battle of Zig Zag Pass. For his service he was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, AP Theater Ribbon with three bronze service stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years, Billie Sue Banks Latham; son, Leonard Don Latham; daughter, Cathy Diane Latham Young; grandson, James E. "Jimmy" Stearns, Jr.; great-great granddaughter, Payton West; and brothers, Otho Latham and Elbert Latham.
He is survived by two sons: Bill Latham and Bob Latham and wife Brenda; daughter, Mary Stearns and husband James; brothers: Odell, George and Jim Latham; grandchildren: Teresa Wright and husband Richard, Heather Willcutt and husband Marty, Josh Jones and wife Rachel, James "Ricky" Young , and Angel Young ; great-grandchildren: Brittany Channell and husband Brooks, Lauren Stearns and partner Kevonte Thornton, Gabby Wright, Brandon West and wife Cait, Alesha West, Jody Wilkerson, Kassidy Young, Khloe Young, Tucker Jones, Stella Grace Jones, Anastasia Young, Sydney Young, Tristan Young, Quintin Young, and Madison Young; Great-Great Grandchildren: Bryleigh Channell, Brooklynn Channell, Tatum West, Latham West, Asher West, River Probert, Able Probert, and Karson Thornton due this month; and many family members and friends who love Leonard and will miss him always.
The family of Leonard Latham would like to thank the VA Home Care that cared for him for four years; the staff and friends of Mount Carmel Assisted Living Community for 3 ½ years that Leonard was a part of their big loving family; the staff at Alcoa Pines Health and Rehab for caring and loving him the last 1 ½ years of his life-Leonard loved you all and it was very obvious that you loved him-; and Saline Hospice for caring and loving Leonard the last ten months of his life-you were his "angels" who cared for him.
Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Thursday, March 19, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Funeral service, officiated by Bro. James Thurston, will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, March 20, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Graveside service, officiated by Bro. Terry Latham, will be held Friday, March 20, at 2:00 PM, at Shiloh Cemetery in Atkins, Arkansas.
Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Visitation
MAR 19. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CST)
Smith - Benton Funeral Home322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
Funeral Service
MAR 20. 10:00 AM (CST)
Smith - Benton Funeral Home322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
Graveside Service
MAR 20. 2:00 PM (CST)
Shiloh CemeteryAtkins, AR
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