Dorothy "Dot" Lathan

She was born February 25, 1932 in Union County to the late Olin James Baker and Martha Griffin Quick.

She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth "Niff" Lathan and sons Kenneth and Anthony "Tony" Lathan. She is survived by her sons Douglas and Eugene (Elena) Lathan; daughter Martha (John) Arnold; sister Nancy Nash; brothers Jack Baker and Tim (Marie) Quick;14 Grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; countless nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Jippy.

Dot was a lady of many talents and exceptional character. The story of her incredible life and faith is one to be celebrated and admired. She was born the eldest of four siblings on "the mill hill" in Monroe, NC. She began working as a textile worker for Celanese at the young age of 18; shortly after marrying Niff in 1950. She and Niff would bear 5 children and all the while, she continued to work until her husband's untimely death in July, 1967. It was then that she would stop working at the mill to assume her new role as a single mother at the age of 35. It wouldn't take long before her energetic demeanor and nervous energy would require her to seek employment outside of the home once again. This time it would be at the school her children attended, Benton Heights Elementary, as a cafeteria worker. As her children aged, she decided to continue her education and enrolled herself into the Plaza School of Beauty in Charlotte, NC, where she graduated with a degree in cosmetology. After making the necessary financial arrangements, she would purchase her very own beauty shop called “Styles Unlimited”. She worked in the salon along with her sister Nancy, and friend Brenda, for many years until it was time to retire. Only — retirement was not in her DNA. She then took a part time job at Eckerd Drug Store in their coffee shop. That part time job turned into a full time job where she made many lifelong friends, some of which she cherished until her death. In the late 1980's, Eckerd’s closed it's coffee shop and Dot, again, faced retirement. Only she still wasn't ready. She returned to the profession that brought her the most joy, a cafeteria worker; this time at Sun Valley High School. Every morning she would wake early, drive children to school on the bus, serve them lunch, then drive them home in the afternoon. She would continue this until 2003, her final retirement.

In addition to her life of hard work and service, Dot loved to travel and saw many places all over the world. She visited nearly every US state, the Holy Land, Egypt, Scotland, the Philippines, Mexico, Canada, and nearly every country within cruise distance. She was an avid bowler, quilter, baker, and friend.

She served many years as den mother to Cub Scouts and Boy Scout Troop 171, receiving many accolades for her dedication and service. She loved God, her family, gospel music, reading her bible, her dog, hot grits and orange sherbet. She was the master at Scrabble and making homemade biscuits. She also loved telling really long stories that would seemingly never end, but that was ok, as long as she was serving her biscuits.

However impressive as Dot's work ethic and service may have been, her biggest legacy will be defined by the thousands of hearts she touched at her beloved West Monroe Baptist Church. There was rarely a time that the doors were open that you would not find "Ms. Dot's" face. She touched so many souls with her tireless devotion to the many clubs and classes she attended and taught.

Many will remember her from The Good News Club, The JOY Club, The Good Samaritan Club, singing in the choir and The Quilting Club. Many younger people will remember her from the valuable Bible stories they learned in her flannel-graph class that she taught every Sunday; or the Vacation Bible School classes she taught every summer. Some will recall her driving various groups to see the annual Christmas lights at McAdenville, NC.

Others will remember a generous donation she gave to the church after the untimely death of her beloved son, Tony, in order to start a church bus ministry. Her dedication to her church has been respected and admired by many for generations. This earthly world has lost a beautiful soul while Heaven gained a beautiful angel.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family request donations in her memory to West Monroe Baptist Church Children’s ministries or their JOY Club ministry.

McEwen Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Lathan Family.