Dr. Bobbie Jean Lathan

" O thou who hears prayer unto thee must all flesh come...” Psalm 65:2 Dr. Bobbie Jean (Hicks) Lathan, the second of seven children, was born on August 1, 1941, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to parents James Hicks, Sr. and Eugenia (Rooters) Hicks. As a child, Bobbie and her family relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she received her formal education within the Milwaukee Public School System (MPS), graduating from Lincoln High School in 1959. Bobbie accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and was blessed with two sons, Wilbert Jr. And Kevin. Bobbie started her career at Miller Brewing Company, now (Molson Coors) in December of 1974, where she was one of the first African-American women to be hired and to work on the assembly line in the brewery at the time. Her hire set a historical precedent for women factory workers. She was a valued employee for the course of an outstanding 40 years until her retirement. Working at the Miller Brewery Company was a turning point in Lathan’s life. She purchased a home for her children and provided a better life for her family. Her new career also unlocked an opportunity for her to see the world. In August of 1981, Bobbie was united in holy matrimony with the Reverend James Lathan. With God as their guide, they started a church in 1982, and Bobbie served Under the Leadership of her husband as First Lady of New Grace Baptist Church. Lathan was instrumental in helping her husband pastor the church and support the members of their congregation. In the early 1990’s, Bobbie was elected the State President of the Interdenominational Alliance of Ministers’ Wives and Widows of Wisconsin. Where she faithfully served as the leader for more than two decades. In her leisure, Bobbie enjoyed several hobbies including going shopping, dressing- up and eating Soul Food especially, Church activities and traveling - which worked hand in hand. Her travel adventures have taken her to South Korea, Africa, Jerusalem, Japan, England, and Israel. In April 2002, Bobbie also traveled with a mission group to Johannesburg, South Africa, with the Ministers’ Wives and Widows to help women into denomination and educated and taught them farming techniques, cooking and raised money to buy ox plows for gardening. Bobbie has done extensive work with the Wisconsin Baptist Convention and made invaluable contributions to several auxiliary groups. She is also a member of the Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA), a faith-based association for meeting planners and suppliers. In 1995, Bobbie Lathan received an honorary Doctorate in Human Letters from the Tennessee School of Religion, for her remarkable commitment to service. She also volunteered with homeless shelters and the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper in her spare time. Most recently, in February of this Year Bobbie was honored by Milwaukee Black Excellence Awards for her outstanding contributions to religion. On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the Lord said, "It's Done." He removed her soul and spirit from her earthy body and her journey on this side was completed. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” She will be sorely missed by her family, friends, church community and throughout the city of Milwaukee. She was preceded in death by her parents, James, Sr. and Eugenia Hicks; husband, Rev. James Lathan; son, Kevin Williams; sister, Dorothy Laurence; niece, Sabrina Laurence; nephews, Delton Pottinger, Durand Pottinger, George Pottinger, Kenny Zollicoffer, brother-in-law(s), Lloyd Zollicoffer, Que Laurence; and sister-in-law, Ann Hicks. She is survived by one son, Wilbert Williams; three brothers, James Hicks, Jr, of Milwaukee, WI., Larry Hicks and Ronnie (Rose) Hicks, both of Las Vegas, NV; two sisters, Joyce Zollicoffer and Mattie Haywood, both of Milwaukee, WI; four grandchildren, Aaron Williams, Tiona Williams, Dominique Williams, and Carlos (Laquita) Williams; fifteen great-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and Special Friends Linda Jackson Conyers, Carmen Murguia, Louise Crouther, Gladys Piper, Fannie Bell and Ms. Johnnie Jackson. Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy. To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be the Glory, majesty, dominion and power both now and forever.

Dr. Bobbie Jean Lathan

August 1, 1941 - September 11, 2024