Overzenia Stephens Wirt-Latham was a beautiful, loving and family oriented servant of God, born on February 10, 1926, in Indianola, Mississippi, in the community of Stephensville. “Zenia” was the third child of James and Canary Stephens, and was known to be the apple of her Daddy’s eye. She had a happy and stable childhood, and enjoyed working on the family farm with her parents and siblings. After attending elementary and junior high school in Stephensville, Zenia attended boarding school with her sister in Greenville, MS. In 1943 she graduated from Coleman High School in Greenville, Mississippi.
After graduation, Zenia moved to Chicago and lived with her sister and brother-in-law, and later found employment. Two years later she returned home to Stephensville. There she met and married Ransom Wirt, Sr., and to this union six children were born. A dedicated mother, she worked hard to support her family and taught them the ways of the Lord.
verenia Zenia’s Story
OAs a child, Zenia’s family attended Mount Olive Baptist Church. Shortly after moving to Memphis with her husband, Zenia was baptized into Christ at the Vance Avenue Church of Christ where she was a member for several years. In 1977, Zenia placed her membership at the Springdale congregation, currently known as Midtown Church of Christ. She remained a faithful member of Midtown until her death, attending regularly until her health declined.
One of Zenia’s favorite pastimes included singing old gospel hymns with her children. She arranged for her four sons to be taught how to sing as a quartet, and would often accompany them on piano, playing the piano by ear. A skilled seamstress, she enjoyed sewing and making clothing for her children. She also loved to cook and would offer home cooked meals to those who visited her home.
Throughout her life, Zenia held several jobs to support her family, eventually retiring from the State of Tennessee, Department of Human Services in 1991.
In 1997 Zenia married Isaiah Latham, Sr. Their special bond was built on mutual respect and admiration. The pair remained happily united in matrimony until his death in 2012.
On November 27, 2018, Overzenia Stephens Wirt-Latham was called from labor to her reward. She was preceded in death by her spouses Ransom Wirt, Sr. and Isaiah Latham, Sr.; her sons Daniel Carnell Wirt and Ransom Wirt, Jr. and her siblings, Garfield Stephens, Clyde Stephens, Ernestine Stephens Porter and Floyd Stephens.
She leaves to cherish her memory; Her children, Dennis Arnell Wirt (Lynn), Roland Lavell Wirt (Lisa), Nobilene Wirt Thompson, Sheeree Wirt-Joseph (Cleveland), Isaiah Latham, Jr., Margaret Latham, and Sharon Latham; her brother Julius Stephens; her grandchildren, Tia Wirt Coffin, Kiaunna Wirt, Tinesha Wirt, Alana Wirt, Talitha Gibson, Ransom Raquemore, Amber Thompson and Kitamu Latham Sampier, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and Church family.
The Celebration of Life
Prelude
Processional........................................“Mansion Robe and Crown”.............................Congregational Hymn
Bro. Marvin Gilliam
Moderator.....................................................................................................................Bro. DonBurnell Holly SouthEastSide Church of Christ
Opening Prayer.................................................................................................................Bro. Herbert Mhoon
Scripture Reading: Old Testament....................................................................................................Bro. Cleveland Joseph New Testament................................................................................................Bro. George Guyton, Jr.
Congregational Hymn.......................................................................................“Just A Little Talk With Jesus”
Spoken Tributes
(3 Minutes Please)
Mrs. Marcie Brown, Close Friend
Sis. Michelle Miller, Midtown Church of Christ
Mr. Reginald Taylor, Neighbor
Sis. Verna Stephens Ragsdale (Niece)
The Grand Kids
Special Tribute to Grand Ma “Z”...........................................................................Tia, Kiaunna, and Tinesha
Words of Comfort
(3 Minutes Please)
Bro. Jasper Muckelroy, Elder, Fifth Ward Church of Christ
Bro. Gary Smith, Minister, Fifth Ward Church of Christ
Bro. Gerald Taylor, Minister, (Nephew), Midtown Church of Christ
Loving Thoughts From Arnell..........................................................................................................Eldest Son
Reading of Obituary......................................................................................................................Audio Music
Acknowledgements............................................................................Sis. Michelle Miller and Sis. Ginger Ross
Eulogy.....................................................................................................................................Dr. Harold Redd
Midtown Church of Christ
Recessional..............................................“Jesus Is Coming Soon”...............................Congregational Hymn
oving L Moments
My Mother demonstrated to me what it meant to be charitable, loving, humorous and dedicated. from her and my father to always treat everyone with dignity and respect. For that Momma, I am eternally grateful. I love you always.
Your Loving Second Child~Arnell
To my beautiful spirit, my low-flying Angel (Now as an Eagle) you can soar, my Mother! I cried over my life loss of you, but now I celebrate your freedom. Love is a word that doesn’t even come close to how much I feel for you. You lived a beautiful and wonderful life. So… when I get to the gates of Heaven, I have an Angel to ask for with the name that I know, Momma. Endless/Timeless Love.
Your Loving Third Child ~ Roland
In the beginning, God created the Heaven and the Earth. He I am your first and oldest daughter. Being I did not understand at the time, but you guided me to our Lord and And for this, I am ever so grateful and You were the lighthouse that sat on the rocks molding and shaping me to become the woman that I am today. You were a beautiful, strong, loving and compassionate Mother who would give her last. There are sooo many precious memories. My heart is broken and I am very weary. Taking this Heavenly journey is only the beginning. So Momma, rest in peace now, for “It Is Well With My Soul.”
Your Beloved Fifth Child ~ Nobilene
Mommy Dearest, the day you left me, you literally took my breath away. I was physically rushed to the Emergency Room because I was barely able to breath. This is how much I love you. Momma, I thank you for the life we shared together, just you and me. You held me sooo close to you, but I never understood why. Now I know. As a Potter, you molded your little girl into becoming someone full of Christianity, integrity, character and skills, and I hope you were proud of your mastery. I think you were because I surely tried to honor and follow your life-learning roadmap. Later in life I discovered I had become just like you. Take your rest Momma, and I’ll see you in the morning, my twin, my Queen!
Your Beloved Sixth Child ~ Sheeree
Grandma Z
Grandma I know that heaven truly gained an Angel... You were so loving and devoted to the family grandma and it showed by your actions. I am so grateful for the wisdom you shared with me that has stayed with me up until now. And your famous lemon cake will be dearly missed...R.I.H.
Talitha
Grandma Z.
A beautiful woman....A delicate soul.... A life story like no other to be told. Rest easy now my gorgeous beauty. Job well done. Love your Granddaughter Tinesha K. Wirt. I’ll miss you.
Tinesha
Grandma Z , I will always hold you in my heart. I hope to make you proud as you watch from heaven. Thank you for loving me. I’ll see you when I get there. I love you.
Kiaunna
Grandma Z, you were the consummate womanphenomenal, full of grace, wisdom, beauty, style and elegance. You loved and respected the words of the Lord. You loved your family immensely. My heart aches that you are no longer with us. Although you’re gone the precious moments we spent together will live on in my heart. Until we meet again.
Tia
Alana
You loved us all so deeply, and we felt it. Your grace and style always amazed me. This is not the end for you. You are free now: free to laugh, free to move, free to dance in ways that you haven’t been able to in years. Thank you for highlighting what real class was to all of us girls. I am going to miss you dearly. I will miss your perfect hugs, your singing to me every year on my birthday and of course, your lemon cake. I love you, Grandma Z. XOXOX,
Lani
You were always a welcoming sight to see when I came to Memphis. You’ve always gave me so much love and encouragement! Your positive energy I could feel even thru a phone call. Thank you for being my personal cheerleader thru my struggles and give my granddaddy a kiss when you see him! You both will always be in my heart!! Love FOREVER, Tu-Tu ( Kitamu)
“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” John 16:22 KJV You, your love, and your light can never be duplicated. Life will never be the same without you. Being a phenomenal woman of God, the epitome of style, class, and elegance - you’ve taught me so much in my time here with you. I’ll forever carry a piece of your legacy everywhere I go.
Love and Miss you Dearly, Amber “Pooch”
Amber
~Acknowlegements~
The children and family of Overzenia Stephens Wirt-Latham sincerely appreciate the warmth and generosity extended to us including cards, calls, flowers prayers and other expressions of kindness and love during our moments of sorrow. We would like to thank the following entities and individuals for their help in the most recent days of our Mother’s decline.
