Joe Thomas Latham

Joe Thomas Latham, age 83, of Tuscaloosa, AL, passed away on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Ridgeview Nursing Home in Jasper, AL. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Magnolia Chapel North with Brother Clark Sims and Brother Kerry Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery in Gordo, AL. with Magnolia Chapel North directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at Magnolia Chapel North.

Joe was born on September 7, 1939, in Gordo, AL. After high school, he worked at Bryce Hospital where he met his wife, Ola Fay. Shortly after their marriage, Joe was drafted into the United States Army where he served in Germany for nearly 2 years. After returning to the U.S., he later began working for the railroad until his retirement. Joe was a simple man who was known for his phrases of wisdom and pulling a joke on someone any chance he got. He was a faithful member of the Northport Church of Christ. He spent his life serving others and generously gave of his time and resources to better the lives of other people. He was a family man who worked hard to provide for his family and invest in the raising of his two daughters. In his retirement, he fully devoted himself to the care of his wife displaying a true testament to unconditional, sacrificial, and committed love.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Ola Fay Latham; his parents, John William (Bill) and Susie Mae Springfield Latham; and his sister, Ruby Oglesby.

He is survived by his daughters, Gail (David) Sortino of Jasper, AL, and Beth (Dwayne) Curlee of Tuscaloosa, AL; five grandchildren, Jeffrey (Amber) Smith of Anchorage, AK, Katie (Keanu) Miljure of Anchorage, AK, Allison Sortino of Jasper, AL, Luke Sortino of Jasper, AL, and Brody Curlee of Tuscaloosa, AL; and four great grandchildren, Raelyn Miljure, Kamryn Miljure, Patsy Smith, and Rosemary Smith, all of Anchorage, AK; three brothers, Earl (JoAnn) Latham of Tuscaloosa, AL, Hayes Latham of Gordo, AL, and Leon (Elise) Latham of Gordo, AL; along with several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Dwayne Curlee, Pat Latham, Gene Latham, Billy Latham, Mark Latham, and Stansel Latham.