Wiley Jacob Latham III

Obituary For Wiley Jacob Latham III

80, transitioned on March 18, 2024. He was born December 5, 1943, in Raleigh, North Carolina, the only child of the late Fannie Vick Latham and Wiley Jacob Latham, Jr. He was a loved and curious child with a special interest in science. He excelled in academics and sports. He especially loved swimming and was a lifeguard for much of his youth. He also excelled at golf.

Dr. Latham’s academic career began at JW Ligon High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. After graduation, he attended North Carolina State University and received a B.S. in Zoology. Subsequently, he completed postgraduate studies in Physiology. He attended Meharry Medical College where he met Bernice, the love of his life. They went on to have four children: Ruth, Vicki, Wiley IV, and Michelle. Dr. Latham graduated from Meharry with his M.D. degree in 1971. His internship was done at the Medical College of Virginia (VCU) and he completed his internal medicine residency at Howard University Hospital. Upon graduating from residency, Dr. Latham obtained his Board Certification in internal medicine. He was also selected by the Department of Gastroenterology to complete a fellowship in gastroenterology. Throughout his training, his mentors included Dr. Victor Scott and Dr. Sadye Curry, the first African American female gastroenterologist in the United States.

Dr. Latham was the first African American gastroenterologist in Richmond and treated patients for more than forty years. He truly enjoyed his career, caring for his patients, saving lives, and developing long-lasting relationships. He was well respected by patients, colleagues, hospital staff and was known to be a person of integrity. He treated everyone he encountered with respect and kindness and was well-known for his great smile and friendly demeanor.

It was clear to all who knew him that Dr. Latham’s primary focuses in life were his faith, his family, and his patients. He was a devoted husband and father, and Bernice was his partner in life and in love. They worked together to build a successful medical practice while investing in their four children with immense love and sacrifice. Wiley and Bernice provided an example of what marriage should be through their love and friendship. They also imbued their four children with a great love and faith in their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dr. Latham was a dedicated and present father. He attended his children’s sporting events, helped with homework, provided a loving ear, and gave sound advice. He was always available when his children needed him. Once his own children grew up, he was blessed with five grandchildren and was an important role model and inspiration in their lives as well. His grandchildren brought him great joy and were a true light in his life.

Throughout his life, Dr. Latham was a member of several organizations. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and a Connecting Link in the James River Valley Chapter, Links, Inc. Dr. Latham was one of the founders of the Community Health Association Physicians’ Organization (CHAPO) and one of the founders of the Belvidere Medical Center, which was one of the first multispecialty medical buildings established by African American physicians in Richmond. He was also recognized as being one of twenty-one physician founders of the current Richmond Community Hospital. He was a member of the National Medical Association and the Old Dominion Medical Society. Dr. Latham was a former Sunday school teacher at St. Peter Baptist Church where he was a member for more than thirty years. He also served as a Captain in the Medical Corp, US Army Reserve for several years.

Dr. Latham leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of fifty-three years, Bernice Grant Latham, M.D., and their four children: Ruth Christina Latham, M.D.; Vicki Latham Solomon, M.D. (Ferrell Solomon, Jr.); Wiley Jacob Latham IV, Esq. (Michelle Laureano Latham); and Michelle Latham Holmes, M.D. (Bert Wellington Holmes III, M.D.). He also leaves five grandchildren: Wiley Jacob Latham V, Ellis Eve Latham, Samara Aurelia Elaine Solomon, Ellis Christina Naomi Holmes, and Baby Michaela Renee Holmes. Dr. Latham will be dearly remembered and missed by many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and other relatives.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., where viewing will be held Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. followed by the family receiving friends at Scott's Chapel from 5 to 6 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 3 at St. Peter Baptist Church, 2040 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, VA. Rev. Dr. Kirkland Walton, officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to:

Meharry Medical College, Gift Management Services, Attention: Joyia Walker, 1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208-3599

Make checks payable to: Meharry Medical College and in the memo section: In memory of Wiley Latham, MD '71

If making a tribute gift online, go to https://home.mmc.edu/give-to-meharry/

Select designation and be sure to check Tribute gift. In the comment box, type: In memory of Wiley Latham, MD '71