Ella Marie Craft Latham

Ella Marie Craft Latham
May 5, 1925 – October 12, 2018

Ella Marie Craft Latham, 93, died Friday. She was born in Lenoir County to the late Nick & Maggie Allen Craft. The eldest of 7 children, she was a graduate of Contentnea School, she lived in the Wheat Swamp community of Lenoir County. A lifelong member of the Christian Church, she served on numerous boards and committees throughout the district, region and national church. She worked 30 + years at B. W. Canady & Sons, with a second career as assistant to the resident manager at Camp Caroline. After retirement, she volunteered with various groups making comfort items for hospitalized children and cancer patients. Ella was an award-winning artist in acrylics, she loved reading, needle work and a variety of other creative hobbies. She always had a smiling face and a gentle touch – a course word was never heard. She was preceded in death by her husband & help mate, John W. Latham, Sr., son, John W. Latham, Jr.; siblings, Johnnie Nick Craft, Dorothy Craft Davis, brothers-in-law, Dempsey Skinner, Ross Hill, Don Short & William Sutton.

She is survived by her son, David T. Latham (Heather) of Rocky Point, daughter-in-law, Carol B. Latham, siblings, Lillie Hill, Hazel Skinner, Alice Sutton, Margaret Short & Horace Davis.
grandchildren, John W. Latham, III, (Melissa A.), Melissa C. Latham, Kimberly L. Sierra (Juan Luis), David T. Latham II (Sarah), great grandchildren, Ezra, Silas, Abraham, Amelya, Juan David, Solimar; Ivy and Trip and many other beloved extended family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ella Latham Memorial Fund for Camp Caroline, c/o Christian Church in North Carolina, PO Box 1568, Wilson, NC 27894.

Funeral service 2:30 pm, Saturday, Gordon Street Christian Church. Visitation 1-2:30 prior to the service. Burial, Pinelawn Memorial Garden.

Arrangements are with Strickland Funeral Home, 211 W. Third St., Wendell. www.stricklandfuneral.com