Anita McNeill Lathan, after a courageous battle with cancer, age 76, passed away on June 8th, 2018. She was the daughter of Neill C. McNeill and Ella Mae Kiser McNeill of Lincolnton, N.C.
Anita is survived by her husband and best friend Jerry Fields Lathan, their daughter Kelly Lathan Fort, favorite son in law John L. Fort and her two beautiful and wonderful granddaughters Bailey McNeill Fort and Raigan Fields Fort.
She graduated from Lincolnton High School and Catawba College with degrees in psychology and sociology.
Thirty years of her life was spent working with Services for the Blind in Butner, Raleigh, and Wilmington. She was a teacher, a work adjustment counselor, a placement specialist, and field counselor. She was awarded the J Marshall Parham Award for outstanding job performance placing legally blind and blind clients into gainful employment.
Since her retirement her focus has been on family and friends. She has enjoyed partying with and working with other crafters, knitting, crocheting, and basic crafts. She called herself the accidental artist. She was involved in many social groups that participated together weekly. She was also known as the scrubby queen. Her loves were her husband, her exceptional daughter and two very special grand girls.
She has developed many friendships through her life and all of her friends were very special to her. She started several Mexican Trains groups, played Mah-jongg and other games with her many wonderful friends. She was always happiest when surrounded by her family and friends.
She had a unique sense of humor and she loved joking with her family and friends. Her favorite saying was, “ Meet all challenges with determination and humor.”
Anita said “I want to thank my family and friends for all the support and love through cards, visits and calls helping me to survive this past year ! No one is as lucky as I am to have such love from family and friends.”
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A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Friday June 22nd at Kenan Chapel in Landfall, 510 Arboretum Drive, Wilmington, NC.
A reception will follow immediately after memorial service at Seapath Towers, 322 Causeway Dr., Wrightsville Beach, NC.
In Lieu of flowers Anita asked for donations to her favorite Charity. Indo Jax Surf School (Visually impaired surf camp, specifically)
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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099
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