MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Coleman (65th), Bailey, Banks, Blackmon, Broomfield, Burnett, Calhoun, Clark, Clarke, Cockerham, Coleman (29th), Espy, Evans (70th), Flaggs, Fredericks, Harrison, Hines, Huddleston (30th), Johnson, Middleton, Robinson, Thomas
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY, SUCCESS AND SERVICE OF MR. W.L. "FRANK" LATHAM, JR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, Mr. W.L. "Frank" Latham, Jr., born on February 11, 1936, to the late W.L. Latham, Sr., and Fannie Howard Latham in Macon, Mississippi, departed this earthly life on Monday, March 21, 2011, at the age of 75, making life's transition from labor to reward to enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, upon the completion of his elementary and secondary education in the Noxubee County School District, Mr. Latham attended Southern University in East St. Louis, Illinois, before he returned to Mississippi to the Greater Jackson area to work along side his father as a construction worker; and
WHEREAS, resolutely diligent in his efforts to provide a comfortable living for his family, Mr. Latham worked for the United States Postal Service for a number of years before deciding to establish his own business enterprise with a forthwith entrepreneurial mettle, which led to the 1975 birth of "Frank's World Famous Biscuits" on Pearl Street; and
WHEREAS, a man known for his charity and his cooking, Latham owned and operated "Frank's World Famous Biscuits," a diner's staple, in downtown Jackson for nearly 30 years, moving from its original location on Pearl Street to 219 North President Street in 1992, before he later moved to Mikhail's Northgate before retiring; and
WHEREAS, Frank's biscuits, accompanied with his big heart, gave credibility to the old wife's tale that "the way to man's heart is through his stomach," as the restaurant's lunchtime crowd was indicative of his ability to transcend barriers and unify people of all ages, races and occupations through the shared common bond for good food and fellowship; and
WHEREAS, a humanitarian among Good Samaritans, Mr. Latham experienced busy days, but his busiest days were holidays, when he would feed hundreds of homeless or needy Jackson-area families or the many hours and days spent working at the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, mentoring juveniles at the county detention center; and
WHEREAS, remembered for those mouth-watering biscuits, Southern cooking and his generosity, Mr. Latham put Jackson on the map in his own small way after his biscuits got NBC's attention, and he was once featured on the Today Show, when on-air personality, Willard Scott, aired a broadcast from the restaurant; and
WHEREAS, blessed to have experienced a life of love, laughter and success, he has traversed the river of life to now stand upon golden heavenly shores in the land of milk and honey to partake of the great feast of the Saints at the table of the Lord's preparation, but the legacy of his life and service lives on in the hearts and memories of his loving survivors: wife of nearly 45 years, Mary Alice Carson Latham; children, Anthony Latham, Debbie Reyna Latham Magee and Kevin Latham; grandchildren, Anthony Jacory Latham and Alexis McCutheon; three sisters; six brothers; and a host of other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such a selfless individual as Mr. Latham, whose very existence was to be of service to God and mankind, and whose gift to the world was a kindred love and respect for all through his generous outpouring of his time, humanitarianism and his cooking:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy, success and service of Mr. W.L. "Frank" Latham, Jr., owner and proprietor of "Frank's World Famous Biscuits," and extend deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Latham and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.