Janet Josephine Latham

Janet Josephine Latham, born June 2, 1926, passed away peacefully in her room at River Point Crest nursing facility on October 10, 2022. She is predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Marjorie Latham, her sister Mary Alice Kent and brother in law Gene Kent, brothers Fred and Joe Latham, and sisters in law, Emma (Joe) and Muriel (Fred).

Janet grew up in Riverside, living most of her life in New Bern. She did leave New Bern for college, spending one year at Salem College and then to attend the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York to study art. She returned home after the death of her father in 1947, and later traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she lived for several years.

She was also active within the group Moral Re-Armament, which was an international nondenominational spiritual movement striving to promote peace after WWII. She spent time on Mackinac Island, Michigan working at the MRA conference center and traveled to Europe several times to attend conferences within the group. Her faith remained strong throughout her whole life. An article about Janet was published in the Episcopal Church Women of NC in 2018.

Coming back to New Bern, she worked at the TV station in the mid-1960s where she was the art director and Miss Janet on the afternoon children’s show. She had several other jobs around town including working at Monte Enterprises as a graphic artist, and having her own art shop. Many homes around town have her paintings hanging on the wall.

Janet was well known in many circles including the Historical Society in New Bern. She was well versed in the history of the town.

Janet never married and is survived by nephews Alan (Carol) and Don Kent (Anke), Rick Latham, and Steve Latham (Kim), and nieces Diane Sanwick, Betsy Kent (Jim), Nancy Kaumeyer (Ken), and Emma Herring (David), and a multitude of great and great-great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to either the New Bern Historical Society or Christ Episcopal Church.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on June 3, 2023 at Christ Episcopal Church, 320 Pollock St, New Bern, NC 28560.

Arrangements are in the care of Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory.