Mary Latham

Mary Ellen Cornelius Latham,received her Heavenly reward on Friday, September 1, 2017. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, Nana to her grandchildren and a great friend.

Born June 29, 1936 in her parents' home west of Brownfield, Texas. Mary Ellen was the first daughter born to Robert Eldon and Vera Cleo Cornelius. As a girl in west Texas, she learned from her parents an appreciation for the solitude of the land as well as the companionship of family and friends. Mary always admired the vast horizons of West Texas and loved being at the family farm watching the cotton grow. She grew up playing cards and dominoes with a bevy of family and friends through the years, and loved to play bridge for hours with her parents "Pop and Mom", and her precious sister, Wanda. As a young girl, Mary learned her fundamental values: the irreplaceable importance of family and the sustaining power of faith.

Those loves became life-long passions, which highlighted many joyful moments during the last few months of her life. Mary graduated from Brownfield High School as salutatorian in 1954. She married Ray Latham June 22, 1954 and attended Draughn’s Business College in Lubbock. She worked seven years for the City of Brownfield in the business office and was Executive Secretary to the President of Brownfield Savings and Loan for twelve years. Mary often described her time of work at the Savings and Loan as the best years of her life. She loved the people with whom she worked and enjoyed visiting with all the customers.

Mary was a loving mother who would do anything for her two children, taking them to church by herself almost every time the doors were opened. She showed her children courage, kindness and a sweet­ness that almost everyone recognized immediately. Mary was a member of the Church of Christ.

It was in 1989 following her divorce, that she moved to Waco to be near her sister and mother. She worked in the Credit Department at Texas National Bank of Waco for eleven years. Mary’s hobbies included counted cross-stitch, reading, knitting and needlepoint. Music, especially country music, held a special place in her heart. She loved to travel with D.R., yet she could hardly wait to get home after an adventure because she was such a homebody! Mary Ellen relished her time as a grandmother to David’s children, Casey and Trent, and always giggled as she recalled fun moments they had shared.

Mary was a hero to many family and friends not because she thrived during her life, but because she survived some of its greatest disappointments. Despite her battle with pancreatic cancer, her divorce and the loss of her parents, Mary remained a lover of life.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Eldon and Vera Cleo Cornelius; her former hus­band and father of her children, Ray Latham; and her in-laws, Weldon and Loretta Latham.

Though complications from cancer took her life, it failed to take her grace and dignity. Even in the midst of fear, disappointment and pain, Mary maintained a spirit of endurance, hope, love, patience and faith.

Mary is survived by her son, David Latham, and his wife, Penny of Euless; her daughter, D.R. Latham of Waco; grandson, Trent Latham of Bedford, granddaughter, Casey Latham Muckley and her husband, Scott, of Fort Worth; and by her sister, best friend and favorite sweet person, Wanda West, and her husband, Ever­ett, of Waco. She also leaves behind a loving and dedicated sister-in-love, Jodi Latham, of Canyon and many cousins, four nephews, one niece, and a host of special friends.

Visitation

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM ,Thursday, September 7, 2017
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, Texas 76712

Celebration of Life

11:00 AM ,Thursday, September 7, 2017
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, Texas 76712