1933
Velma
2009
Velma Lee Lathan
April 2, 1933 — August 2, 2009
Velma Lee Womack was born to the union of Mr. Jim & Mrs. Adline Womack on April 2, 1933 in Crossett. Arkansas. As a young girl she attended grade school in Crossett.
In 1943 Velma moved to Vanport, Oregon where she attended Roosevelt High School. She met Harold Eugene Lathan in 1947 and married him a year later. The two relocated to Portland, Oregon where she became a member of Vancouver Avenue Baptist Church. She soon had 9 beautiful children after her move to Oregon. Her children referred to her as Madear.
Velma & Sister Johnny Mae worked at the Sheraton Hotel, soon Velma relocated to employment at Oregon Laundry and Del's Care Center in Portland, Oregon. In the late 60's Velma joined Providence Baptist Church with her first set of four children, Donald, Carol, Denise, and Phillip. Velma and her baby girl Phyllis Lathan soon joined New Hope Baptist Church where she once again was on the Mission Board, Usher Board, and the Church Clerk. Velma was one of the hardest working people when it came to church involvement. Her first grandchild was finally born by the name of Remel Lashay DueWa Young. In 1986 Velma became a member of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church where her two kids Dewayne and Denise and two grandchildren Iyonna and Karay were already members. She served on the Usher Ministry #3 at Fellowship.
After the death of her daughter Carol LaJune Lathan she raised her three granddaughters, Remel Young, Jonicia Henderson, and Antoinette Lathan as if they were her own daughters.
In her past time she loved reading her favorite scriptures and attending events that her children and grandchildren were a part of. Velma enjoyed singing songs around the house, talking on the phone with her sister Versie James, cooking, and watching the 10:00 news every night. Velma was a great woman with wide open arms; she was willing to help anybody always offering a cup of coffee or Pepsi. One of her greatest gifts was caring for great grandson Damare who she provided a home for on the weekends. She adored Christmas and decorating her home in special trimmings and cooking for ALL of her loved ones.
Preceding Velma in her death is her parents Jim & Adline Womack, husband Harold Lathan, sons Harold Jr., Eddie Ray, Donald, and daughter Carol Lathan, her four brothers and five sisters: Dan Womack (Sonnyboy), Jessie Lee Womack (Tastee), Willie James Womack(Cruse), and Cleophis Womack (Clee), Johnnie Mae White, Lue Bertha Jones, Pearlie Sweeney, Dorothy Mae Williams, and Beatrice Green; grandson Darius Perry; and her best friend Willia Barber.
She leaves to mourn and cherish her memories, her sister, Versie James; long time partner Joe Wesley Cobbs (Mr. C); three son's: Phillip, Dewayne, & Anthony Lathan; two daughters: Denise Lathan & Phyllis (Stanley) Hennon; grandchildren: Remel Young, Jonicia (Drake) Shelton, Antoinette Lathan, Alexandria Lathan, Lakeshia Lathan, lyonna (Ryan) Keenan, Fatimah Lathan, Jeremy Lathan, Chris Lathan, Josh Lathan, Karay Lathan, Jasmine Lathan, Anthony Lathan Jr., and Minyan Miller; great grandchildren: Damare Cunningham. Kaleceon & Kiajay, Draia & Danielle Shelton, Millian Lathan; in-laws Lathan Family; nieces & nephews: The James, The White's, The Perry's, The Osbourne's, and The Byrd Family; and a host of other relatives & friends that loved and cherished Velma aka Madear. We shall seek comfort in knowing that we will see her again.
In 1943 Velma moved to Vanport, Oregon where she attended Roosevelt High School. She met Harold Eugene Lathan in 1947 and married him a year later. The two relocated to Portland, Oregon where she became a member of Vancouver Avenue Baptist Church. She soon had 9 beautiful children after her move to Oregon. Her children referred to her as Madear.
Velma & Sister Johnny Mae worked at the Sheraton Hotel, soon Velma relocated to employment at Oregon Laundry and Del's Care Center in Portland, Oregon. In the late 60's Velma joined Providence Baptist Church with her first set of four children, Donald, Carol, Denise, and Phillip. Velma and her baby girl Phyllis Lathan soon joined New Hope Baptist Church where she once again was on the Mission Board, Usher Board, and the Church Clerk. Velma was one of the hardest working people when it came to church involvement. Her first grandchild was finally born by the name of Remel Lashay DueWa Young. In 1986 Velma became a member of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church where her two kids Dewayne and Denise and two grandchildren Iyonna and Karay were already members. She served on the Usher Ministry #3 at Fellowship.
After the death of her daughter Carol LaJune Lathan she raised her three granddaughters, Remel Young, Jonicia Henderson, and Antoinette Lathan as if they were her own daughters.
In her past time she loved reading her favorite scriptures and attending events that her children and grandchildren were a part of. Velma enjoyed singing songs around the house, talking on the phone with her sister Versie James, cooking, and watching the 10:00 news every night. Velma was a great woman with wide open arms; she was willing to help anybody always offering a cup of coffee or Pepsi. One of her greatest gifts was caring for great grandson Damare who she provided a home for on the weekends. She adored Christmas and decorating her home in special trimmings and cooking for ALL of her loved ones.
Preceding Velma in her death is her parents Jim & Adline Womack, husband Harold Lathan, sons Harold Jr., Eddie Ray, Donald, and daughter Carol Lathan, her four brothers and five sisters: Dan Womack (Sonnyboy), Jessie Lee Womack (Tastee), Willie James Womack(Cruse), and Cleophis Womack (Clee), Johnnie Mae White, Lue Bertha Jones, Pearlie Sweeney, Dorothy Mae Williams, and Beatrice Green; grandson Darius Perry; and her best friend Willia Barber.
She leaves to mourn and cherish her memories, her sister, Versie James; long time partner Joe Wesley Cobbs (Mr. C); three son's: Phillip, Dewayne, & Anthony Lathan; two daughters: Denise Lathan & Phyllis (Stanley) Hennon; grandchildren: Remel Young, Jonicia (Drake) Shelton, Antoinette Lathan, Alexandria Lathan, Lakeshia Lathan, lyonna (Ryan) Keenan, Fatimah Lathan, Jeremy Lathan, Chris Lathan, Josh Lathan, Karay Lathan, Jasmine Lathan, Anthony Lathan Jr., and Minyan Miller; great grandchildren: Damare Cunningham. Kaleceon & Kiajay, Draia & Danielle Shelton, Millian Lathan; in-laws Lathan Family; nieces & nephews: The James, The White's, The Perry's, The Osbourne's, and The Byrd Family; and a host of other relatives & friends that loved and cherished Velma aka Madear. We shall seek comfort in knowing that we will see her again.
Visitation
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Thursday, August 6, 2009, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Homegoing
Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
4009 North Missouri Avenue
Portland
,
OR
US
97227
Friday, August 7, 2009, 11:00 AM
Cemetery
Rose City Cemetery
5625 N.E. Fremont St.
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Tuesday, August 4, 2009,
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Velma Lee Lathan, please visit our flower store.