Barbara Kay Blansett Latta

FORT WORTH -- Barbara Kay Blansett Latta, 80, died Wednesday, December 2, 2015. She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Samuel Tate Latta, III; her brother, Dr. Phillip Laine Blansett, and three adult children, Scot Samuel Latta, 51; Dr. Gail Frances Latta, 54; and Donna Elaine (Flowers) Schultz, 56; one granddaughter Charlene Lynn Schultz, 31; and a great granddaughter, Destiny Renee Applegate, 12. She is preceded in death by her parents, James Horace and Martha Nell Thomson Blansett, and a daughter-in-law, Cora-Joan TenZythoff Latta. Kay Latta, a graduate of Pascal High School, was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, where she met her husband in 1952, while he was stationed at Carswell Air Force Base serving in the U.S. Air Force. The couple married in 1956 and moved to Sam's home state of North Carolina, where all three children were born. The family moved back to Fort Worth in 1964, making their home on the east side. Kay worked in insurance for much of her career, although she always considered her roles as wife and mother her true calling. After her own children were grown, Kay sponsored a resident of the All Church Home for Children, and later volunteered for both the outreach program of Hurst County Humane Society and the nature school at River Legacy Nature Center of Arlington. Kay shared her love of God, her dedication to the church, her industry and determination in work, her wonder at the beauty of nature, her joy of singing, her skill as a seamstress, and her delight in dancing with all who loved and were loved by her. She will be remembered for her vibrant smile, her faithful conviction that God answers prayers, and her gratitude for the enduring devotion of her loving husband. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 21 at First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn Street, Fort Worth, Texas, preceded by a private interment at Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials to: River Legacy Living Science Center (Arlington) or the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation.

Contact information provided by her daughter:

Gail F. Latta, Ph.D.

Director & Professor

Leadership Studies Doctoral Program

College of Professional Sciences

Xavier University

305 Hailstones Hall

3800 Victory Parkway

Cincinnati, OH 45207

(513) 718-7166 direct

(513) 745-2986 voicemail

[email protected] or [email protected]