Lathan Early

Funeral services honoring the life of Lathan Dewitt Early will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Southside Baptist Church in Mansfield, Louisiana, with Bro. Gary Orr officiating. Interment will be held at Spring Ridge Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana.  The family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana. 

Lathan Dewitt Early was born on September 8, 1946, in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana to Virgil D. Early and Sylvia Ponder Early. He passed away on April 21, 2024, at Montclair Assisted Living in Shreveport at the age of 77. He was proceeded in death by his parents; his brother, Kenneth Early; and his sister, Myra Haire Walker. 

Lathan was a devoted child of Christ, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was the owner of Early’s Paint and Hardware in the 80s and was the owner operator of Early Trucking before he retired. He enjoyed driving those Peterbilt trucks and listening to music.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 60 years, Linda Hight Early. Also left to cherish his memories are his children, Cindy Wadsworth and husband Robert of Frierson, LA; Becky Simmons and husband Terry of Crowville, LA; Randy Early and wife Christi of Mansfield, LA; and his sister, Ramona Rambin and husband Danny of Mansfield, LA. He was called Paw by his six grandchildren, Josh, Lindsey, Tyler, Chelsea, Dillon and Brandon; and five great-grandchildren, Audri, Georgia, Whitley, Everly, and Harper. 

Serving as pallbearers will be Josh Kelly, Tyler Simmons, Dillon Early, Brandon Early, Kenny Early, and Clint Anthony.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Hight, Wayne Hooper, Bill Shetley, Rod Stevens, Kenneth Lee, Tubb Ford, Kenneth Hughes and Clyde Chism. 

The family of Lathan wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Wen Liu, 4th floor nursing staff at Willis Knighton Pierremont, The Chateau at Montclair and Gentiva Hospice, for the excellent care provided to their loved one.