Phillip Andrew Latta

Phillip was a graduate of Columbia International University, Columbia, SC. After graduation, he worked as a Manager for Sears Roebuck & Company in Charleston, SC. Called to full-time ministry, he earned a degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He went on to serve as Pastor of Rocky Grove Baptist Church, SC; Poovey’s Grove Baptist Church, NC; First Baptist Church Fairfax, SC, and Hemingway First Baptist, SC. In retirement, Reverend Latta continued his ministry, serving as interim for several area churches.

He was actively involved in the South Carolina Baptist Convention, serving on numerous committees and boards. For several decades he organized church mission trips to West Virginia. In his final years of ministry, he volunteered as a Chaplain at the Broad River Correctional Institution, leading Bible studies and helping to establish a library of theological books for the men. He was affectionately known as Preacher to everyone except his grandchildren who called him Flip.

Phillip is survived by his sisters, Mary Sutherland and Christine Marsh; his wife of 57 years, Paulette Watson Latta; his son, Michael Latta (Brent) and their children - Briggs (Ellie), Bradford, Watson, and Wells; and daughter, Christie (Jeff) Slocum and their children, Jordan, Kennedy, Sawyer, Christopher, and Alaina (Keith). He was predeceased by his brothers, Sammy Latta and David Latta.

Thank you to Shirley Bessinger, special caregiver and PRISM hospice.

Visitation will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 31 at Lexington Baptist Church, 308 East Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072 with a funeral service to follow at 3 p.m. Burial will follow the service at Greenlawn Serenity Gardens, 6619 Windwan Drive, Columbia, SC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lexington Baptist Church, Missions Fund.