Lindsey “Perry” Lattimore

On Oct. 14th, 2023, a beloved child of God, Lindsey “Perry” Lattimore, died at the age of 71. Born to the late Leonard and Laura Lattimore, Lindsey “Perry” Lattimore Sr. graduated from Morganton High school in Morganton, NC, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Appalachian State University. At NCCU he became a proud member of the Beta Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Perry established a vibrant career at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, formerly known as the Western Carolina Center, as a Special Education Teacher and Behavior Analyst. After dedicating 32 years to the State of North Carolina, he received the highest honor that one could receive by the Governor of NC; “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award.” His wisdom lives on through scholarship articles co-published in the Medical Journals of Applied Behavior Analysis.

His greatest passion and God given gift was singing, producing, and writing music. He began performing on many stages beginning at a young age and consistently inspired people with his melodious and prophetic voice. In his late 20’s and 30’s he concentrated mainly on southern gospel music after joining the Gospel Enforcers and later branched off to continue a solo music ministry. Together the Gospel Enforcers produced multiple albums and shared the stage with well-known artist such as Shirley Caesar and the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Singing and ministering was one of his greatest joys and gifts to further the kingdom of God.

Perry was a lifelong faithful member of Slades Chapel AME Zion church, as his parents before him, and served in numerous capacities. He loves sports and enjoyed coaching and teaching the varied sports, especially to his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, where he officiated softball and football as a certified CIAA officiant.

While attending NCCU he met and married his college sweetheart the late Donna Ray (Lawson) Lattimore, together they had two children. When God called Donna home, Jan. 10th, 2014, it was a great loss. God knew his agony and sent him Isabell, who came into his life to care and love him unconditionally.

Linsdey “Perry” Lattimore, Sr. is preceded in death by his parents, the late Leonard and Laura Lattimore and wife Donna Ray Lawson Lattimore. He is survived by a wife Isabell Lattimore, of the home; a brother, Jodie Ervin (Lula); a son, Lindsey Perry Lattimore, Jr. (Katelyn) of Fort Mills, SC; a daughter, Rev. Dr. Phanta I. Lansden (Sean) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Alivia Lansden, Aria Lansden, Aryn Lansden, Huntington Lattimore, Whitaker Lattimore, and Collins Lattimore. He inherited a bonus family of three more children: Duane Goodwin, of Charlotte, Juwanna March of Morganton, and Jeffrey March of Pennsylvania, ten more grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, a special mother-in-law, Lena Graham, of Fayetteville, NC; sisters-in-law: Nadine Blake, Durham, NC; Roselyn Smith (Tony) of Georgia; Michele Baptist; and brothers-in-law: Clarence Baptiste of South Carolina; and Theodis Goodwin (Camille) of Fayetteville, NC and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Morganton, NC, Saturday, Oct 21st, 2023, at 12noon, with visitation at 11am. Rev. Stephen Wingate and Rev. Dr. Phanta I. Lansden will be officiating. A burial will follow in the Olive Hill Cemetery.

The service will be live-streamed beginning at 11:50 a.m., on the Facebook page of First United Methodist Church Morganton (https://www.facebook.com/fumcmorganton) or YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@firstumcmorganton9267/streams).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Slades Chapel AME Zion Church, P.O. Box 2385, Morganton, NC 28680.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.