Naomi Latham

Naomi Markert Latham, 93, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Dec. 8, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born March 1, 1915, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of James Jacob and Martha Elizabeth Ervin Markert. She attended Central High School, where she met her future husband, Charles Willard Latham, who was captain of the football team. They were married in 1932 in Jonesboro, Ill.

Naomi worked at Florsheim Shoe Co. several years. As a homemaker she was best known for her pie-making abilities. Her parents were founding members of Red Star Baptist Church, and Mrs. Latham was a lifelong member.

Naomi was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.

She is survived by three daughters, Marilyn Jo Ervin and Dorothy Jean Matthews of Cape Girardeau, Beverly Ann Lynxwiler of Paducah, Ky.; eight grandchildren, Debra Lynn Kembel (Robert) of Oak Ridge, Paula Jean Sharum (Gary) of Fort Smith, Ark., Mark F. Gilbert (Dana) of Kansas City, Kan., Dr. David B. Gilbert (Linda) of Chapel Hill, N.C., Steven M. Gilbert (Victoria) of Oxford, Conn., Dr. William "Andy" Gilbert (Lucy) of Wahiawa, Hawaii, William Eric Lynxwiler of Paducah and Melissa Ann Arnold (Barry) of Bowling Green, Ky.

She is survived by 18 great-grandchildren, Paul Scott Kembel (Amy) of Cape Girardeau, Julie Diane and Stephanie Jean Sharum of Fort Smith, Rebecca Ann Fegers (Robert) of Grain Valley, Mo., John Christopher Gilbert of Kansas City, Kan., Benjamin Samuel and Zachary William Gilbert of Chapel Hill, Melissa Jean, Jared Evan, Joshua Tyler, Christopher Michael, Sarah Elizabeth, Grace Victoria and Alex William Gilbert, all of Oxford, Bailey Ges, Hunter Renee and Gracie Mae Gilbert, all of Wahiawa, Emilee Nicole Arnold of Bowling Green; and four great-great-grandchildren, Adam Nicholas and Emelia Louise Consiglio of Grain Valley, Lylian Marie Denise Gilbert and Azelea Renee Jillisa Parker of Oxford.

Naomi was preceded in death by her mother and father; a sister, Ruth Short; a brother, James Hope Markert; and a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Lynxwiler.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Red Star Baptist Church.