Rhoda Knowlton Wells Latham1913 ~ 2012"Let's go, Rhoda." Rhoda Knowlton Wells Latham passed away on May 15th, 2012, just weeks short of her 99th birthday. At that age, who needs a reason to go? Rhoda was a survivor. She entered this earth on July 9th, 1913 weighing under three pounds. Her mother, Rhoda, died in childbirth and her twin sister, Ruth died within a month. Rhoda was raised by her loving Grandmother, Minerva Richards Knowlton. She married Leland Ashworth Latham in the Salt Lake Temple on June 6, 1932. Together they raised four children in Salt Lake City. Rhoda was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served many years in the Primary Organization. She and Lee faithfully served as workers at the Salt Lake Temple for years prior to his death. Rhoda loved family, children, chocolate, ice cream, Coke, any shade of blue, kisses and curly red hair. At 98 she could still recite the alphabet backwards in under ten seconds. If her hands were not busy playing cards (Skipbo being her favorite) then she was busy crocheting. She made numerous afghans, full-sized for the adults in the family, baby afghans for anyone having a baby and lap afghans for her friends at Emeritus Senior Living. From the time she was a small girl, Rhoda's ambition was to be a mother. She loved children. Her grandchildren loved spending time with her. She always played games with them, teaching them to play fair and lose with grace. Her patience and love were endless. She was fondly known by several names, "Grandma Yoda", "Pink Grandma", and "Grandma-the-Great." She will be remembered by all who knew her as someone who loved everyone, never spoke ill of others, and always had a positive attitude, right up to the end. Rhoda was preceded in death by her husband, Leland Ashworth Latham, Sr., her son, Leland Ashworth Latham, Jr. and two grandchildren who died in infancy. She is survived by her three children; Rosamond Carrier, Marilyn Keir (Roy) and George Latham (Judy). She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren , 47 great-greats and by her dear cat Mimi. A celebration of her life will take place on Tuesday, May 29th at 11:00 am at the Thirty-third Ward, 451 South 11th East. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral at 9:30 am. Interment will be at the Redwood Memorial Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road. Online condolences can be left at www.memorialutah.com. Funeral Directors: Murray Memorial Mortuary We would like to thank the caretakers at Emeritus (formerly Brighton Gardens) for the loving care she received over the last few years. We would especially like to thank Lupe Melo, the best friend anyone ever had. Rhoda loved children and animals. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Primary Children's Medical Center or the Animal Shelter.
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