Margaret (Coker) Latimer

Margaret Coker Latimer entered into her heavenly home peacefully at Agape Hospice House on July 16, 2016 with her son and daughter by her side. She was the youngest daughter of Huey Cimeon Coker and Rebecca Jane Hancock Coker of Ruby, S.C. She graduated from Ruby High School in 1935.

As a young and daring woman, she drove the mobile library truck in Chesterfield Co. for the WPA; she married and moved to Camden where her husband, Jake Brown, worked for the Camden Chronicle; in 1947, buoyed by her loving family, she survived the first of what would be many of life's challenges - the loss of her husband and first born son . She became a proofreader and receptionist at the Chronicle.

During Margaret's years at First Baptist Church, Camden, S.C. (1946-1967) she was a Sunday school department director for children and then for young adults. On a Sunday morning in November 1950, she saw a young and handsome new face visiting her department...he eventually saw her sitting alone in church services...long story short...in April 1951, Margaret married Lewis Latimer.

Margaret had a full and eventful life as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. One of her great joys was "loving up" on her family; she was a great cook and enjoyed " get-togethers" with family and friends .

Throughout her life, Margaret remained an eager scholar of literature, poetry, art, and people---from her study of Gaelic at University in Londonderry, Northern Ireland to the techniques of "H2O-colour" painting at USC with Harry Hansen. A long time member and former president of the Trenholm Artists Guild and Seven Oaks Artists Guild she studied under many professional artists including Hal Moore , Marc Durlach, Suzie Farrell, Wyman Trotti, Margaret Hall Hoybach and others. She won ribbons of color recognizing her growth in watercolor painting.

A member of Greene Street United Methodist Church since 1969, Margaret was active in all aspects of church life; she was a proud member of the Virginia Lever circle and  was instrumental in the renovation of the church's sanctuary after a fire in 1973.

Margaret is survived by her two children: daughter and caregiver Margaret Brown "BoPeep" Blackhurst of the home in West Columbia and Lewis C. "Chip" Latimer, Jr. (Barbara) of Delray Beach, FL.

Her legacy is carried on by four grandchildren: Mary B. Herbert (Chris), Rebecca B. Artlip (Rob), Jennifer B. Taylor and Benjamin Lewis Latimer; six great-grandchildren: Jacob Bailey, Austin Herbert, Mackenzie and Derek John "DJ" Taylor, Mari Elizabeth and Bryan Artlip and two step-great-grandchildren, Blake and Tyler Artlip.

She is predeceased by her husband of 62 years Lewis C. Latimer (d. July 2013) and her first husband Jake A. Brown (d. August 1947); her sons Jake Brown Jr. (d. August 1947) and Richard Eric Brown (d. February 2009), daughter-in-law Becky M. Brown (d. July 2009) and grandson Matthew Bradshaw Latimer (d. August 2009).

Margaret courageously faced life's challenges with love and compassion and now - the "dash" of her life is complete. Her Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at Greene Street UMC on Sunday, July 31, 2016 at 3 o'clock p.m. Memorials may be made to Greene Street United Methodist Church, 1106 Greene Street, Columbia, S.C., 29201.