Mary Lathey

Mary Margaret Warner Lathey went to her heavenly home on November 10, 2015. Born in Putnam Co. WV, she was the daughter of Clarence and Grace Warner. She was blessed with two wonderful sisters, Audra and Beulah and one brother, Roy; who all preceded her in death. From the beginning of her life, her priorities were always faith in God and love of family and friends. What she did not realize, was that her life would truly begin when she traveled from Charleston to Ripley in the summer of 1957 for the 4th of July celebration. It was there that she would meet the man of her dreams Stanley Lathey. They were married in December 1957, and thus began a true love story. She was welcomed into the Lathey family by Stanley's father and mother, Clyde and Jane Lathey, and his sister Ella Faith. Stanley and Mary were blessed with two children, four grandchildren, one step grandchild, and one great-grandson. There were countless others who have considered her their mother and grandmother as well. Mary led a full and exciting life. She started her full-time working career at The Diamond Department Store in Charleston, where she held positions in several departments and was a runway model. During that time, she also played competitively on an all female softball team. During WW II she worked as a "Rosie the Riveter", helping to build and maintain planes for the soldiers fighting for our freedom abroad. After marrying, and moving to Jackson Co. she worked at Jackson General Hospital, from where she retired after more than twenty years of service. She and Stanley spent their retirement years travelling to many places, making numerous life long friends along the way. She especially enjoyed traveling to watch her children and grandchildren participate in their band, choral, football, basketball, softball, volleyball, baseball and church events; if one of her children or grandchildren were participating in activity, Mary was there. Mary helped to mold and shape the lives and character of countless individuals over the years. She was an amazing woman of faith, who shared her love of God and generous spirit with so many. Mary was a strong, self-sufficient, independent, no-nonsense kind of lady; long before these became the fashionable traits for a woman to possess. She could teach you the proper way to walk in high heels, how to sit gracefully in a dress, while at the same time, telling you the story of the big buck she just bagged, and giving pointers on how best to bait your fishing hook. Her passing leaves an ache in our hearts; and while we mourn her physical loss, we take comfort in knowing we will all one day be reunited with this amazing lady we all loved so dearly. Mary was a member of the Ripley Tabernacle church. She is survived by her husband Stanley Lathey; her daughter Cindy Sansbury (Rich), son Rick Lathey (Nancy), grandchildren; Ashli Samples (Brent), Mandy Sansbury, Ambra Lathey (Trevor Clark), and Derek Lathey; one great-grandchild; Blake Samples, and one step-grandchild; Stacy Sansbury McFall. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Pleasant Hill Cemetery Fund c/o Annette Griffith 814 Statts Mills Rd. Ripley, WV 25271 Service: Saturday, November 14, 2015 Waybright Funeral Home Visitation: Saturday, November 14, 2015 11 am to 3 pm Waybright Funeral Home