DeSoto Parish Louisiana

ELMA EILEEN LATHAM KEARNEY NABORS
 

Passed away Tuesday morning, Sept. 30, 2003, after a brief illness. Visitation in the parish hall of Christ's Memorial Episcopal Church,
Mansfield, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 3, 2003. Funeral services will be at 3:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, with the Rev. Guy Mackey officiating. Burial service at St. Mary's Cemetery, New Roads, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003, officiated by the Rev. Miller Armstrong.


Eileen was born Oct. 10, 1915, in Mansfield, the daughter of Amos and Alma Durham Latham. She graduated from Mansfield High School in 1932, attended Louisiana State Normal College, Natchitoches, the University of Cincinnati and the College of Music of Cincinnati. She graduated in 1936 from LSU with a bachelor of music degree. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.


She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Amos Noble Latham Jr.; and husband of 43 years, George Ross Kearney Jr. She is survived by four children, Carolyn Eileen Lacour and husband Bill, George Ross Kearney III and wife Margee, Frank Payne Kearney, and Ann McIllwain Hughes; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Alma Louise Latham Boucher and Carolyn Lynn Latham Chaney; and a sister-in-law, Jane King Latham; and numerous nieces and nephews.


In New Roads, from 1936 to 1981, Eileen was very active in the community. She taught piano and voice for 20 years, was active in civic and cultural clubs, co-organizational director of the Point Coupee Par Choral Society, member of the Museum's Board of Directors, the Historical Society, PTA, past president of the Book Club, past regent of Pointe Coupee chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, past state historian, chairman of National Defense, second vice president for the Louisiana Society of DAR and served on various local and area state boards. She was an organist for the St. Paul's Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for more than 40 years.


Eileen was also preceded in death by her second husband, Wilford Nabors. She moved back to Mansfield in 1981, where she lived until the time of her death. She was very active as president of Kate Beard chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy and a member of Bon Chasse Chapter of DAR; past president and member of the board of directors of the DeSoto Historical Society, past vice chairman of liaison committee between DeSoto Parish Police Jury and The Sabine River Authority regarding the Mansfield Battle Park/Museum, member of the Department Club and Mansfield Hospital Association. She was selected 1992 Lady-of-the-Year by the three chapters of Beta Sigma Phi. Eileen was also in the 12th Edition 1981-1982, Who's Who of American Women and second edition of Personalities of America. She was instrumental in locating the 1843 original DeSoto Parish log cabin courthouse and served as its chairman. Eileen was also an avid family genealogist.


Honorary pallbearers in Mansfield are Green Rives Jr., Warren Harris, Don Robertson, Ben Johnson, Walter Johnson, Claude Roberts Jr., Dr. Leigh Dillard and Dr. John Grindle. Pallbearers in New Roads are Francis A. Smith Jr., J. O. Smith Jr., Charles B. Smith, James D. Smith, Madison Bouanchaud, John L. Crosby, George Ross Kearney IV and William Raymond LaCour Jr. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, 401 Washington Ave., Mansfield, LA 71052 or to the charity of your choice.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home Mansfield, 318-872-4660, in charge of arrangements.

 

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