Betty Headley Latta was a compassionate and devoted mother, wife, sister, grandmother and child of God who peacefully departed this world at the age of 88, while living in Memphis, TN, on Friday, September 8, 2023, and arrived at her long-awaited, eternal destination to rejoice in paradise. Her battle with the progressive illness of Alzheimer’s over recent years provided a testament to her courage and strength to live life and love others to the fullest with every waking breath. Betty’s love for others and faith in the Lord transcended all worldly bounds as family and friends now celebrate the remarkable life she led on earth, and relish in the fact that she is having the ultimate celebration in a joyous reunion with her loved ones at the gates of heaven. Such family members who preceded Betty in death include: her first husband Horace Arthur Headley and their son Arthur Stacey Headley, Betty’s mother Dethel Honeycut Guy and father Arley Guy, Betty’s sister Vera Roberts and niece Cindy Mendenhall, as well as Betty’s second loving husband Billy Latta.

Betty was born and raised in Clanton, AL, and always remained close as she established her own family in Hueytown and Birmingham, then eventually retiring in Pell City. She is remembered for her numerous accomplishments along the way as a business woman, community developer, and eloquent leader. Betty was recognized for her dedication and achievements as an Executive Assistant at Southern Company Services for the majority of her career. In typical Betty-fashion, immediately following retirement she somehow got busier. Ambition was ingrained in her DNA. Betty was known for her capacity to multitask at the highest level, all while looking stunningly beautiful with every step. It would never surprise those who knew her that she could effortlessly bush hog 20 acres of rough terrain while somehow preparing a Thanksgiving meal, just in time for lunch in a single morning. Nevertheless, she always remained committed to her highest priorities by serving God and supporting her family. She never missed the celebration of a single birthday, and was an active member of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church of Cropwell, AL.

Without question, Betty loved the Lord and cherished the peace that comes from HIM alone. She orchestrated countless family reunions throughout her life that will remain memorable to all in attendance but are now miniscule in comparison to the everlasting homecoming she has received in heaven. She is survived by her loving family, Carol M. Headley (daughter-in-law) along with Doctor Doug Cound and his wife, Virginia Leigh Cound, sisters-in-law Fay Burnette and Doris Ingram, her husband DC Ingram and their son Todd Ingram, as well as grandchildren Arthur Miles Headley, Shelby Guy Headley, Virginia Leigh Cound and John Douglas Cound, and niece Mary Krause with her husband Glen Krause and daughter Kelsey Krause.

The service in remembrance of Betty Headley Latta took place in Cropwell, AL on Monday September 11th at 10:00 AM CST at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church located at 100 Mount Pisgah Drive, Cropwell, AL 35054. The visitation was before the funeral at 9:00 AM CST. Martin Funeral Home in Clanton, AL handled the burial arrangements. The graveside service was held after the funeral at the Martin Memorial Cemetery located at 2176 Yellow Leaf Road, Clanton, AL 35045. Any gifts of remembrance may be sent to Mount Pisgah Baptist Church for the advancement of His work.

Published by Legacy Remembers from Sep. 9 to Sep. 12, 2023.

Click here to link to the original obituary.

Our retiree’s meeting will be held on September 12 at Sloss Furnace. We hope to have a large group. Entertainment will be provided by Jay and the Elders, which includes one of our own David Cooper, along with Cindy Freeman, Alabama Power Health and Well Being, as the keynote speaker. Also, food will be served catered by Full Moon BBQ.

Please notify Patsy Evans at [email protected] by Thursday, September 7th if you are coming, how many will be attending with you, and if you prefer PORK or CHICKEN. There is no need to respond if you cannot make it.

Hope to see you there. Lunch will be served starting at 11:30 AM

September 12th
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sloss Furnace
20 32nd Street North
Birmingham

SEPTEMBER RETIREE MEETING

DATE: Tuesday, September 12

LOCATION: Sloss Furnace
20 32nd Street North
Birmingham, AL 35222

TIME: 11:30 p.m.– 2:30 p.m.

The meeting itinerary includes a band, complimentary lunch from Full Moon Barbeque, a Keynote Speaker discussing SoCo retiree benefits, and a tour of the museum and grounds.

SPEAKER: Cindy Freeman (SCS Benefits)
Alabama Power Health and Well Being

ENTERTAINMENT BY:
Jay & The Elders
(A local eight-piece band (which includes our very own
Jim Blackmon, SNC retiree, and APC retiree David Cooper),
performing songs from our youth.

Hope to see you there!

Just posted the Sep. – Oct. 2023 newsletter Volume 35 Issue 5.

Click here to view the latest list of newsletters.

James Franklin Goodwin was born in Saks, Alabama, on March 26, 1942, to his parents Dorothy and Horace Goodwin. He grew up in Saks and Golden Springs and graduated from Anniston High School where he played baseball, basketball, and football. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Civil Engineering. While he was at Auburn, Jim met and fell in love with a fellow Anniston native, Niena Williams. They married on March 20, 1965. After completing Officer Training School, Jim joined the Air Force as a Captain. Their first assignment was at Beale Air Force Base outside of Marysville, California. It was there that Jim and Niena welcomed their first daughter, Kathryn Dain. After two years, they were reassigned to the Air Force base in Blytheville, Arkansas, where their second daughter, Julia Frances, was born. At the end of his four years of service, Jim took a job with Alabama Power in Birmingham, where he and Niena welcomed their third daughter, Jennifer Leigh.

In his long tenure as a civil engineer in Birmingham, Jim worked at Alabama Power, Southern Company, and Georgia Power. He was a greatly admired manager and mentor for many young engineers over the years. After retiring from the power industry, Jim felt the need for a new outlet in the business world and took a job as head of construction for UAB, where he oversaw the construction of the Shelby Research Building and the Student Health and Wellness Center, among other projects. After retiring from this second career, he enjoyed spending time with his family at the lake, attending countless Auburn football games, being a loving grandad to his seven grandchildren, and doing small construction projects and jobs around his own-and his daughters’ houses. He and Niena also enjoyed traveling with friends, including a recent cruise to the Caribbean Islands.

Jim and Niena are long-time members of Canterbury United Methodist Church and have been very involved in the life of the church. It was through volunteering with the church that Jim especially lived out his faith by serving others. He also loved the Sunday School class that he and Niena were a part of for decades and all of the close friends they made there.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Horace Goodwin and Dorothy Goodwin Minshew. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Niena Williams Goodwin. Their love story truly is one that their children and grandchildren strive to emulate. Jim is also survived by his daughters, Kathy (Beau) Byrd, Julie (Shawn) Gillis, and Jennifer (Nate) Schmidt; his seven grandchildren, Walker (Sarah) Byrd, Carter Byrd, Caroline Gillis, Ava Gillis, Elliott Schmidt, James Schmidt, and Owen Schmidt; and many other family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 22, at 10:30am at Canterbury United Methodist Church. A visitation will be held prior to the service at 9:30am in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Canterbury United Methodist Church.

Click here to link to the funeral home obituary.