Sara Ann Williams Latham

Sara Ann Williams Latham went into the open arms of Jesus on Monday, June 3, 2024 shedding her cancer ridden body for a perfect one as she slept peacefully at her home. She left this world less than 200 yards from where she came into it, and she loved the life God had so richly gifted her for 81 years on that dirt road. 

Sara Ann was so much to so many. Throughout her life, she worked for the State of MS Public Service Commissioner, Kilmichael Hospital and at the family owned Green Light Auto Parts store in Kilmichael. Her life revolved around her faith, family and friends. Her children and grands had their favorite recipes and she made sure to have each of them a dish at every meal, no matter the number of pots and pans needed. Her love for cooking, flowers, plants, linens and dishes was very evident in and around her home. She loved to spend time in her kitchen and around the table with anyone and everyone filled with laughter and so much love. But it will be her testimony and her faith in Jesus that she would want others to remember her. Sara Ann never questioned, “Why me, Lord?” with 6 cancer diagnoses and many other health issues; she would quickly say, “Why not me, Lord?” She was the greatest example to us all that God may not lighten your load throughout this journey of life, but He will strengthen your back to carry that load. Her unwavering faith, unconditional love, amazing strength, tremendous courage, and an unfound spirit are just small parts of her legacy. For nearly 21.5 years, Sara Ann carried cancer, yet she did not lose her hard fought battle on June 3rd. She won the greatest victory for her Victory was in Jesus. Cancer lost. 

Sara Ann was born to William Colon and Georgia Anna Kite Williams on January 31,1943. She was a spirited, fun, devoted, loving, faithful and so much more of a little girl who would grow up with those traits plus many others added until her last breath. She is preceded in death by her parents, her forever best friend and husband, James Richard (Jimmy) Latham and her sister, Nobie Kay Williams Ray. 

Sara Ann was the deeply loved Mama of Jeff Latham (Cheryl) of Kilmichael, Jayne Latham Howell (Jimmy) of Madison, AL and Brad Latham (Christy) of Stewart and a true aunt to her nephew, Michael Ray (Crystal) of French Camp. She was admired and adored greatly by her 9 grandchildren, Corey Latham (Laura) of Jackson, Jeremy Latham (Kori) of French Camp, Adam Latham (Rachel) of Kilmichael, Tyler Howell (Courtney) of Huntsville, AL, Brynn Latham Harvey (Bailey) of Eupora, Jayanna Howell Adams (Noah) of Brandon, Hardy Howell of Huntsville, AL, Hanna Latham of Stewart and Wyatt Latham of Stewart. Then there are 10 great grands that knew and loved their great Grannie so very much and she reciprocated that love with every moment given: Jace, Anna Fletcher, Mason, Darby, Rowan, Waylon, Bryar, Cohen, Kinley Kate and Kambrie.

Visitation for Sara Ann will be Thursday, June 6, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm and Friday, June 7, from 12:00pm until service time, at Oliver Funeral Home in Winona. Homegoing services will be held at Oliver Funeral Home on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 2:00pm with burial at Crape Creek Baptist Church cemetery (Choctaw county). Bro. Brad Latham will be officiating his mother’s funeral. 

Mrs. Sara Ann’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Her granddaughters and great grands are her honorary pallbearers.

The family would like to thank Dr. James L Moore for loving and caring for their gem since December 10, 2002. He and his staff became family very quickly, as well as MS Baptist Hospital in Jackson. Every nurse and each physician that joined Team Grannie along the years will always be treasures and lasting friendships. To North MS Medical Center in Eupora (Dr. Charles Ozborn and Stephanie McCain) thank you for the love shown to our hub in the many, many hospital stays these last several years. To MS Home Care (Becky Miles, Melinda Williams, Renee Newland), thank you for the years of home health care you gave. She always looked forward to the weekly visits that were more like friends sitting and chatting than a health visit. To Legacy Hospice in Starkville, our hearts are so grateful for your team. We had no idea just how special you truly are. Kala Johnson and Steffanie Ellis, you touched the heart of our most precious soul in such a short time. And to the sweetest sitter nurse who came in our lives recently and another one who touched our gem’s life, Amber Bright, thank you.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, International Headquarters, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 (www.shrinershq.org). Crape Creek Cemetery Fund, c/o Eddye Threet, 3219 Crape Creek Road, Stewart, MS 39767.  Mrs. Sara Ann also wanted to recognize the gift of blood donations having received 47 units in her last 21 months of life. If you are able, please consider giving life for others at your nearest blood donation center.