SHELBY- Floyd Ray “Dude” Latham, age 82 of Shelby, hung up his golf clubs and dancing shoes, and went home to be with the Lord on September 24th, 2026 at Peak Resources in Cherryville.

Born on October 2nd, 1943, he was the son of the late William Mack Latham and Maggie Lee Black Latham. Floyd was preceded in death by his loving wife, Evelyn Marie Blanton Latham, his sister Ann Latham Pruett Cox, his brother Billy Dean “Butch” Latham, and sister-in-law Brenda Faye Rollins Latham. He is survived by a brother Max Gene Latham and wife, Judy Ann Epps Latham, and sister-in-law Patsy Blanton Ball and husband Wilbur Dale Ball.

Floyd, better known as “Dude”, to his closest friends, but loved his other nicknames of “Daddy” and “Poppy” the most. He is also survived by two sons, Mark Latham and his wife Amber Love Latham and Macky Latham and his wife April Bowen Latham. “Poppy” loved his grandchildren more than anything else in life. They can hear him now saying, “Hey Baby!!” He had four grandchildren: Kylie Goode and husband Donnie, Madison Cooper and husband Ben, Katelyn Wray and Cameron, and Matthew Latham. They will always have special memories to hold of all the adventures “poppy” took them on. He also had four great grandchildren, Mavis Goode, Bostyn Cooper, Vira Wray, Clover Wray, and the fifth, Baby Elodi Goode on the way.

“Dude” loved his family and friends. His closest friends include Wayne and Carol Lovelace, Jack and Jo McNeilly, Harold and Suzanne Willis, and Hewie Champion. He loved dancing and all the time he spent with the Wagon Wheel Dance club, and The Shelby Shag Club where he had countless numbers of friends. He also loved golf, playing with his sons, brothers Gene and Butch, Keith Lane, Michael Lane, Phillip Lane, Pastor Allen Davis, Robert Petty, Frank Meeker, and John Ricker. Floyd was also a self proclaimed “Mister Fix It.” He was called quite often by his sons to do a home or car repair. He was always good for a story or joke to put a smile on your face. He definitely loved living life to its fullest.

Floyd started his working career at PPG industries, then went on to work for Southern Railway. He retired as an Engineer with Norfolk Southern Railway. He also spent time working at Shelby City Park and Case Farm.

A special thanks goes out to Shelby Manor, Terra Bella, and especially Peak Resources and staff for the love and care of Floyd over the past four years. A memorial service will be held at 3:00PM at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home in Shelby on Sunday, September 27th, 2026 with Pastor Allen Davis officiating. Visitation will follow the service.

Services are entrusted to Clay-Barnette Funeral Home & Aquamation Center www.claybarnette.com