BOB STRICKLEY

PDT Staff Writer

Longtime pastor of the House of God in Portsmouth and former Portsmouth City Schools teacher Sandra Kay Lattimore passed away Wednesday at Southern Ohio Medical Center.

Lattimore was well-known in the Portsmouth community for her outgoing personality willingness to help anyone in need.

Born Oct. 27, 1943 in Portsmouth to parents Amos Jesse James and Ira Mae Baggette White, Sr., Lattimore graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1961 and attended the University of Cincinnati before returning to Portsmouth.

Back in her hometown, Lattimore began a 25-year teaching career at Portsmouth City Schools’ Wilson Elementary. She taught at Wilson for seven years before moving to Grand Middle School for a 15-year teaching run.

She taught at McKinley for one year and returned to Grant for an additional year before returning in October of 2003.

Ellen Davis, Lattimore’s older sister, recalled her sibling’s dedication to her work.

“Kay was a professional. She spent her lifetime learning in order to teach and assist those thirsty for knowledge, which was her passion,” Davis said. “She was a true people person.”

Through her longtime role as Pastor at the House of God, Lattimore developed relationships with countless members of the Portsmouth community and even spent 10 years doing missionary work in Africa.

“She was an achiever,” Davis said. “She never gave up regardless of the situation. She perserved until she reached God’s goal, making her an accomplished individual.”

Surviving are four sons, Dexter Lattimore, Jr., Douglas E. Lattimore , Derrick E. Lattimore and Darrel E. Lattimore; two daughters, Darlene E. Cartwright, and Lynn Boswell; five brothers, Dr. Amos J.J. White, Jr., Carl F. White, Sr., Gerald W. White, Ralph T. White, Daniel White; four sisters, Ellen I. Mitchell, Cathalee Borders, Georgeann “Shante” Hill-Ali, and Henrietta Hoard; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Phillip D. White, and Albert A.B. White.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 10, at Christ’s Community Church with Pastor Ron Hoard and Evangelist Henrietta Hoard officiating and interment in Memorial Burial Park. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 a.m until 11 a.m. Monday.