Myrtle Latour

1917 – 2012

Our adventuresome Myrtle with little fanfare but decades of thoughtful planning left solo on her latest and greatest adventure last Friday, April 13, 2012, with her family by her side to see her off. Not having to go through Atlanta she was immediately transported into the heavenly presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Myrtle was looking forward to re-acquaintances and family reunions as many friends and family members preceded her in death. Among them was her father and mother, William Harry and Bessie Harvey; sisters, Ruth Edmonds and June Russell; brothers, William H. Harvey, Jr. and Charles O. Harvey. Those surviving her whom she will be expecting along in turn are her husband, Lee of 66 years; sister, Ruby Blankenship; son, Jack Harvey (Fay); grandson, Jason Harvey (Alicia); granddaughter, Keli Mayberry (Scott); great grandsons, Bryan and Jackson Harvey and Cody and Josiah Mayberry; great granddaughters, Frances Harvey Emmons, Hannah Harvey Allen and Elizabeth Harvey; great great granddaughters, Skyler Harvey and Hallie and Carrie Emmons as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. And special family member, Melanie Eubanks.

Myrtle was born and raised in Asheville, NC, where she completed high school. Family circumstances including a move to New York in the 1930’s no doubt inspired her life of adventure. After New York what’s to fear? On to California with a friend via train in the 1940’s where she landed a job with aircraft builder Convair. With WWII taking our men out of the work force many women filled the void. Myrtle was among that distinguished group during the war known as “Rosie The Riveter” as her major job task was “riveting”.

In San Diego she met and married her husband, Lee, in 1946. She then became a working wife and mother and active church member. She sewed everything from Barbie doll clothes to men’s suits. Most family members still have something she made uniquely for them. She volunteered her enclosed patio and oversaw the voting polls for her precinct during elections. For many years Myrtle and Lee danced with the Black Mountain Squares. After retirement they packed up and moved back across country to Pensacola in 1978 to be near their family. During these last 34 years, Myrtle has been “Nanny” to all the younger family members. She volunteered 20 years at the West Florida Hospital. Often on Sundays you would find her greeting guests at the Brownsville Assembly of God Church, where she was an active member for 21 years. She and Lee spent many fun hours of activities and travel with the “Golden Agers” group at church and continued annual trips to California and North Carolina. In 1996 at the age of 80 she talked a younger family member into go the Holy Land with her and a tour group from church. It was the thrill of her life to be baptized in the Jordan River.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Covenant Hospice or the Brownsville Assembly of God Church.

Please join us to celebrate our Myrtle on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at the Brownsville Assembly of God Church, 3100 West DeSoto Street. The viewing will be at 10:00 a.m. with the celebration service following at 11:00 a.m.

BAYVIEW FISHER-POU CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.

Please use www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com, or any older fashion way to express your condolences.