Doris Mae Hood Latham

In Cottondale, Alabama, April 26, 1928, a baby girl was born to Edna and Reverend David Hood. That baby girl was named Doris Mae Ella Hood, the last of eight children. She was raised in a strict home. You just had to go to church, all of us (thank you, Daddy).

At the age of ten, she confessed her life to Christ joining Mt. Liberty A.M.E. Zion Church. After migrating to Bessemer, Alabama in 1947, she joined Second Avenue Beulah Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend E. L. Chandler. She was a faithful member who regularly attended church.

Doris attended elementary school and Tuscaloosa County Training School where she finished in 1946 with a Certificate in Cosmetology. She was very thankful to everyone that helped her to be the only one in her family to finish school. Her sisters and brothers were all so nice to help in any way they could. Later, she gained the skill to become a well-known renowned seamstress throughout the Bessemer Community. She was gifted with the ability to look at a picture and duplicate the design. Her hobbies were planting flowers, cooking, shopping, weekend visits to the flea market and reading.

While serving in the United States Army in Vietnam, her son, Gregory sent his mom many gifts. Her favorite of all gifts was the Holy Bible. On June 1, 1970, she decided to read it from beginning to end. Reading one chapter per night, she accomplished this mission on August 1, 1973; three years later.

In 1947, Doris met her soulmate, Grady Latham. They were married on December 12, 1947. To that union were born four children, Gregory, Glennis, Debra Faye and Deshelah Doe.

On Thursday, May 16, 2024, she departed this life at her home, peacefully surrounded by family.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Reverend David and Edna Hood; her seven siblings, her husband, Grady Latham; her son, Gregory Latham and her son-in-law, Ernest Poellnitz, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory a son, Glennis Latham; two daughters, Debra Poellnitz and Deshelah D. Latham; three daughters-in-law, Charlotte Latham, Sheila Latham and Brenda Latham; six grandchildren, Sharlene (Ricky) Nelson, Erica (Alvin, Jr.) Scott, Reginald Latham, Darryl (LaKendria) Poellnitz, Jalesa Paige Latham and Steven Latham; eleven great grandchildren, Jaidante Latham, Jakeitra Latham, Jameria Latham, Latham Nelson, Danielle (John) Wicks, Mya Scott, Jayla Latham, Amber Scott, KeAndre Poellnitz, LaDarrius Poellnitz and Riley Dozier; seven great-great grandchildren, Jakeria Latham, Jakatlyn Latham, Hananniyah Wicks, Jhmar Latham, John Hezekiyah Wicks, III, Everleigh Howard and Jaidante Latham, Jr.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Additionally, a special niece, her namesake, Doris Jean Holifield and a special friend, Dorothy Green Clark.