Ruth Ann Latham 70, of Richmond, MO, passed away suddenly on December 16, 2021, at Carroll County Memorial Hospital in Carrollton, MO. 

Ruth Ann was born on April 9, 1951, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri to Byron F. and Juanita (Lynn) Taber. She was the oldest of three children, followed by Annette (Taber) Baker and Byron Taber Jr.. She married Corwin O. Latham with whom she had two daughters, Darcie (Latham) Taylor and Tara (Latham) Wolf. 

She later obtained a Bachelors of Science in Education at Missouri Western State University. After which she taught in the Richmond school district for 24 years. During her years of teaching she taught several hundred students. Each one of them held a special place in her heart. She loved teaching and her students. Her students can still tell you about her candy making class, running the snack shack at summer school or the Oregon Trail simulations. She loved running into a former student and catching up on where their life had taken them. 

The only thing that she loved more than her students was her family. Ruth Ann was a devoted mother, daughter and granddaughter, who was always happiest when her family was around. Her greatest love was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were the light of her life. Whether she was watching them perform in plays, at dance recitals, on a ball field or playing a mean game of Canasta, spending time with them was where she wanted to be. Ruth had five grandchildren, Ashlie, Declan, Collin, Eden, and Grayson. And 6 great-grandchildren born to Ashlie; Emma, Ethan, Ella, Brantley, Scotlin and Elijah.  

Other than being a dedicated mother and grandmother Ruth was a faithful servant to her Lord. She taught Sunday school for years in both the Henrietta and Richmond Baptist Church, although her last years were spent as a dedicated member of the First Assembly Church in Trenton, MO. Her greatest love was watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren worshiping the Lord.  

Ruth was preceded in death by her mother Juanita Taber, and father Byron Taber.  

Left to carry on the legacy of her life are her brother Byron (Cindy) Taber Jr. and sister Anette (Richard) Baker; daughters Darcie (Steve) Taylor and Tara (Gregg) Wolf: grandchildren Ashlie (Jacob) Ishmael, Declan, Collin, Eden, and Grayson; great grandchildren; Emma, Ethan, Ella, Brantley, Scotlin and Elijah. 

In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to the First Assembly of God in Trenton, MO, to the Women's Ministry, of which she was an active member, or to the Richmond Education Foundation Backpack Program. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64685.  

Memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from 5pm-7pm at Thurman Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 23,2021 at 11am at the Thurman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Richmond Memory Gardens Cemetery.