Patricia Reeder Latham, 87, of Amarillo, Texas passed away on September 19, 2023.
Trisha was born January 26, 1936, in Nash, Texas to Daniel Leslie “DL” and Oma Lee Reeder. Her parents moved to Amarillo when she was three, and she graduated from Amarillo High School in 1953. Always creative, she loved to sing and dance in high school, and was featured in many Dixie Dice stage productions. She attended Texas Christian University with a scholarship in ballet, where she met her future husband, Joe Latham. They married just prior to graduating in 1957, and had three children together (Jay, Lynae, and Paige) before divorcing in 1973.
Trisha returned to Amarillo in 1964 and continued her work in the arts. She performed in many plays and musicals at the Amarillo Little Theater, with standout performances including “Annie” in Annie Get Your Gun and “Mrs. Hannigan” in Annie, for which she won an Alta Award. She earned her teacher’s certification and began her career as a high school speech and theater teacher in 1969, teaching at Palo Duro High School for 19 years and Randall High School for 11 years. Over the course of her teaching career, she introduced thousands of students to the magic of speech and theater and encouraged them to attend college and pursue their dreams.
In addition to theater, Trisha had a passion for visual arts. She earned a Master’s degree and began taking classes in oil painting, watercolor painting, and sculpture. When she retired from teaching, she began painting in earnest and became an excellent portrait artist, with pastels as her favorite medium.
Trisha was very outgoing. She loved truly talking with people, and as she aged, she believed her purpose was to connect with others and help them see life positively. She was an active member of the senior singles group at the First Methodist Church of Amarillo, and she loved to throw parties. When she needed assistance, she actively embraced her move to the Park Place Towers where she loved all of the clubs and activities. Trisha was a life-long optimist, and her joy and humor carried her through life, as well as uplifting countless others.
Trisha was preceded in death by her parents and her grandson, Connor Jacob. She is survived by her brother, Dan Reeder and his wife Sharon of Fort Worth; son, Jay Latham and his wife Terri of New Jersey; daughters, Lynae Jacob of Amarillo, and Paige Latham of Dallas; grandchildren, Jenna, Jordan, Scott, Marc, Kate, and Grace; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Trisha adored color – her favorites being red, orange, and purple. She never liked all the dark clothes at traditional funerals – “too depressing” – so her family invites all attendees to wear their brightest clothes in honor of Trisha’s creative and colorful spirit.
Momma Latham was my theater arts teacher at Palo Duro. I was at Randall high for a concert and thought of you and told my grand daughter all about you and your love for all of us at OD. You will be missed, now heaven has all my mommas. Thank you to her family fir sharing her for all those years.
Trisha was my teacher, mentor, and friend. She embraced me as a young child and was supportive of me my WHOLE life. I always felt we were family.
I cannot describe the impact she had on my life.
God bless Jay, Lynae, Paige, and their families.
Rest in peace my dear Trisha.
I met Trisha at Margaret Wills Elementary School when we were in the fifth grade. She lived a few blocks from me. We often walked to Sam Houston Junior High School together. She was so kind to me and everyone else. I was happy to be one of her many friends throughout high school, college, and more, and I’ll treasure for my remaining years the portraits she did of my grandchildren. What a talented and loving woman!
Our dear sweet, talented, kind and beautiful cousin and niece Trish.
She is just one of a kind and made such great impact on anyone she knew, and many she didn’t.
Sending our Heartfelt prayers and our Love to the family. Our deepest sympathy to you all,
Mary Reeder and Sandy Reeder Fuller
Trisha spread joy in whatever she did. She used to joke that she wanted to move to the retirement home to be their social director. Sure enough, when visiting her at Park Place, she introduced everyone who came by, and then told us their whole life story. She truly loved people, especially her family. She will be missed.
Dance away in Heaven, Mama Latham!!
Trisha made fun wherever we were and whatever we had to do. I especially remember our hikes at church camp and a time when she spearheaded the games at my party. Although, we haven’t crossed pathed in latter years, I’m so glad she was my sweet friend.
Trisha and I were suite mates at TCU for 3 years. We had many laughs together. I didn’t see her often after we graduated. But She always made me feel happier after visiting with her. I will miss her.
Trisha created not only art but joy wherever she went. Our years together at PD as the M gang were such a blessing. I moved to Bellville yesterday. My heart will celebrate her life with you on Saturday, but unfortunately my body is 550 miles away.
Trisha was the person who truly set me on the path for my career. I have so MANY wonderful memories of my time with her at PD. How can I say how much she taught me? She was an amazing teacher whose presence will live on in her students and their students! Blessings on your family, Trisha and THANK YOU.
I had the pleasure of being in Ms Latham’s school plays at Randall. She always gave me faith in myself and made me believe I was amazing. Something I strive to instill in my students for 25 years!
I had the honor of having Moma Latham as my drama teacher at Palo Duro . She was the greatest teacher ever !!! She gave me some of the best advice about growing up and how to handle whatever God had to toss my way !! Life was a stage , she use to say and so when you had a problem then just act it out and if you didnt like the ending …. wellll then change it 🙂 I love ya Moma Latham , may you be dancing in a garden of bright beautiful colors !! Thank you for all the love and passion you gave to each of us !! love , your student kim
Ms Latham was a treasure that I was SO fortunate to find her in my high school years at PD. I always wanted to be in theater, but do to my schedule, I could never take Theater I. She saw me in the hall during my Senior year and asked if I wanted to participate in the Musical Guys and Dolls. I cannot sing at all and she reassured me that this part was acting only. So, I happily jumped at the chance. That led me to doing One Act Play and ended up with a Zone All Star Cast. She was an amazing woman. I am a better person because I had the opportunity to know her and learn from her. RIP Ms Latham.
I had Mrs. Latham for theater at Palo Duro. I loved her. I remember her laugh and love of theater. Praying for her family.
There are many Palo Duro Theater Arts students shedding a tear today.
I loved her so much.
I am sure my momma was there to meet her when she arrived.
I do remember Miss Latham from Palo Duro. She was always happy and made learning fun . My Prayer to the family. Heaven is going to be a brighter place with Miss Latham there.
It is with sadness in my heart, but joy beyond measure for Trish as her precious soul has descended to take her place among the angels and she can sing and dance evermore (tell our Gussie that I miss him ), but I, too, will join you someday.
Many memories of you will live on in my heart forever. I treasure the many times we shared so much with each other. I can still hear you say “Vin’ete”
My dear friend, rest in peace forever and to
Jay, Lynae and Page, I wish for you peace and comfort in the loss of your beautiful Mother, knowing that she is in perpetual care of our loving Father.