JESSIE OLIVER “JESS” LATHAM

Jessie Oliver “Jess” Latham, 74, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 in Waco. Graveside services took place 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Woodland Cemetery near Kirvin with Rev. Walter Pickens, pastor of Kirvin Baptist Church officiating.

Pallbearers were Joey Latham, Tommy Roberson, Jamie McDaniel, Clyde Ridge, Darrell Ridge, Larry Davis, Jimmy Carter and Mark Baldwin.

Jess was born Nov. 21, 1946 in Teague to parents James Oliver and Mary Louise Butcher Latham.

He was a 1966 graduate of Wortham High School. Jess was a Freestone County resident his entire life and worked for the Texas Dept. of Transportation in Fairfield from 1968 until 2000.

He was a member of Kirvin Baptist Church. In 1969 Jess met a special lady and her son Randy. He and Bonelle Teer Pullin were married in August of 1970.

In 1972 Randy was joined by a little brother, Rodney Latham. Jess loved to hunt, go camping with his kids and family and attend all of his grandson’s ball games.

He and wife, Bonelle did a lot of trail riding and made many great friends. After Jess got too old for horses he started traveling with his brother-in-law, Jerry Teer and wife Nell in their “1922 Model T Ford” and again met many special friends and made many memories.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a grandson, J.W. Teer; a brother, Leslie Latham; brothers-in-law, Jerry Teer and David Minchew; a sister-in-law, Patty Latham.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 50 years, Bonelle Latham; two sons, Randy Pullin; Rodney Latham and wife Julie; a grandson, Chance Latham and wife Lanie; three brothers, Roy Latham and wife Brucene; Fred Latham and wife Shirley; Bobby Latham; all of Kirvin; one sister, Katherine Minchew of Fairfield; one sister-in-law, Nell Teer of Nacogdoches; numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.