Mrs. Thelma

Thelma Mitchell Latimer, age 82, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. ​

She was born on October 20, 1941, to the late Leroy Mitchell and the late Priscilla (Haynes) Mitchell in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Thelma’s primary education was cut short- but that didn’t stop her. She participated in and completed the Clarke County Adult Education program in 1985.

“Mrs. Thelma” as her students, co-workers, and fellow faculty and staff at the University of Georgia would call her began working in the Department of University Housing in 1966. For 43 plus years she was a devoted member of the custodial staff and ended her journey retiring from Brumby Hall. In 2007, she was presented the name “Brumby’s Keeper” for her devoted service. In addition, Thelma was featured in “The Red and Black”, UGA’s official newspaper as the longest employed staff member at UGA. The article reads, “The dorm has seen women come and go throughout the years, but since it opened in 1966, there has been one constant- Thelma Latimer”. In addition to her devoted service in the Department of University Housing, she completed the Housing Adult Education program in 1993- another testament that showed her persistence as a life-long learner.

A devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many, Thelma was preceded in death by her late husband James William Latimer, her son, Willam “Shine” Lattimore, her sister Lorene Gilham, and her brother Leroy “Junior” Mitchell, and granddaughter, Shawanda Getter. She leaves to cherish her memories, two children: daughter, Josie (Jeffery) Ofori, and son, Harvey (Joann) Latimer, and three stepchildren, Donna (Henry) Sanders, Ann Nash, and James (Yvonne) Jewell. Her four sisters Dorothy (Apostle Charles) Mims, Annie (Scott) Pope, Mary (Edward) Scott, and Julia Mae (Loyd) Craft and her two brothers Bobby Mitchell, Willie B. (Daphney) Mitchell. Her three sister in-laws Elsa Mae Hull, Eva Nell Dalton, and Juanita (James) Richardson and a brother in-law, Joe Lewis Lattimore.

Thelma leaves behind cherished memories, nine grandchildren: Shannon Love, Adrian (Danielle) Love, Maurice Latimer, Jeffery Ofori, James Ofori, William Lattimore Jr., Marcello (Kayla) Latimer, and Antonio Watkins. Great-grandchildren: Akilah Love, Janae Ofori, TaNylah Ofori, Ocean Love, Aden Latimer, Blane Latimer, Janiya Latimer, Jaleeia Latimer, Jahiem Latimer, Jaqueline Latimer, Jaiden Latimer and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and a close friend, Anita Howard.

Thelma, affectionally known as “Fat” was the second oldest of twelve. She was a mother figure to many and always loved helping others. Thelma always kept a smile on her face. She was the perfect cook and was well known for her famous, homemade red velvet cakes. She always opened her home to the community and loved cooking for people. Thelma was an enthusiast of word puzzles and loved watching her game shows such as Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right. She was an unconditional lover, God-fearing, a servant leader, and wanted the best out of everyone.

Thelma will be truly missed but her legacy will live forever! A job well done!