Rufus

Lathan

Rufus Lathan, Sr, the first born of five children, was born November 12, 1946 to the late Will and Ora P. Lathan in Memphis, Tn. Rufus accepted Christ at an early age at Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, Ms under the leadership of the late Pastor R.H. Hester. Rufus received his education at Allen Carver School in Charleston and later started his career as a loyal employee at Tallahatchie General Hospital for 40+ years where he worked as an Orderly and ambulance driver. He also worked for the MH State Dept. of Health doing home care visits and for Royal Funeral Home as a driver. He had a big heart and thought he was the most handsome man in Charleston, hence the nickname "BabyFace".

And let's not forget when he spent long nights singing and playing in the Midnight Hour Band. He was a great cook and a great provider who loved his family, especially his children. He came to love the joys of sitting on his front porch and being the neighborhood comedian while having his little "nip". He also became a self-made-community taxi cab driver as he made numerous trips a day taking friends and family to and fro. Rufus was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Blidge Drane Lathan and to this union four children was born: Stephenson, Rufus Jr., Daphene and Timothy.
In addition to his parents and spouse, Rufus was preceded in death by two brothers, Terry and Hayward Lathan, Sr.; one son, Antonio Winters; and one son-n-law, Sandford Moore, Sr.

Rufus departed this life on Friday, January 19, 2024 at UMMC in Grenada, MS.

Rufus leaves to cherish his precious memories, four loving daughters: Frances Walker (Stephen) of Clarksdale, MS; Daphene Moore of Charleston, MS; Cassandra Berger (Ryan) of Lee's Summit, MO; Inita Barnes (Anthony) of Olive Branch, MS. Six loving sons: Stephenson Lathan, Rufus Lathan, Jr., Timothy Lathan (Carolyn),

Patrick Hollis and Mario Winters all of Charleston, MS; Tony Barnes of Memphis, Tn. One sister, Peggy Lathan, and one brother, Will Lathan, Jr both of Charleston, MS. Two sister-n-laws, Verdia Lathan of Grenada, MS; Nina Smith (Eddie) of Milwaukee, WI. One brother-n-law, Freddie Drane of Charleston, MS. Rufus also leaves to cherish a host of grands, greatgrands, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. One special friend, Shirley Winters and one love daughter, Sabrina Winters who he raised as his own, both of Charleston, MS.