Marilynn Latta Knight

Born in Rockford, Illinois, on Tuesday, February 18, 1941, Marzi was the eldest child of the late Lloyd Alexander Latta and Beulah Ardella (Dickey) Latta. Lloyd was a Methodist minister and Marzi “grew up in the parsonage” as a child in Iowa, moving with her family from Afton to Osceola, to Red Oak, to Washington, where she graduated high school. She attended the University of Iowa’s Honors College, where she earned a B.A. in French and English in 1963. A resident of Columbia since the mid-1960s, Marzi was a life-long learner, pursuing her interests in French literature, linguistics, and foreign languages. She taught conversational French at Benedict College, USC and Fort Jackson in Columbia and taught English at USC’s English Program for Internationals (EPI). Her later career included stints with Prudential (underwriter), New York Life (financial advisor), the SC Chamber of Commerce (membership), and SC Literacy Council, before going back to school to study massage therapy.

Surviving are Marzi’s sons and their spouses, David “A.” Courret-Knight and Sebastien Courret-Knight (D.C.) and Peter “B.” Knight and Lori Kornegay (Charleston). Surviving, too, are her younger siblings Roslyn “Rosie” Laliwala (Latham, NY), Rick and Nelly Latta (Miami, FL) and Bob Latta (Mt. Pleasant, IA).

Marzi loved Scottish Country Dancing (teacher & dancer), read books voraciously, never missed a newspaper, and worshipped (at) Trader Joe’s. She adored rhubarb pies, taking baths, listening to public radio, attending St. Martin’s-In-the-Fields, Trinity Cathedral and St. John’s Episcopal, making new friends, and spreading her unique kindness. She will be missed by many!

Marzi lived her last few months at Lexington Medical Center’s Extended Care, where she found kindness and community among the staff and residents, whom she counted as new friends.

A memorial service celebrating Marzi’s life will be held at a later date.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.