b. June 2, 1926

by Ann Victoria Harris Bustard, Christ Episcopal Church, New Bern, NC, 2016

Janet Josephine Latham was born in New Bern to Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Marjorie Latham. The Lathams raised four children with Janet being the third child. The family lived in a large brick home on National Avenue along with many other young families. The neighborhood had many children with whom to play; Janet was taken around by her two older siblings dressed up in crepe paper. Her task was to dance and entertain residents sitting on their porches.

When Janet went to school, she was fascinated with drawing, so she decided at a young age that she wanted to be an artist. Her father did not like this idea. Janet attended school in New Bern in and around the Academy and the Bell building on Hancock Street for elementary, middle and high school. She attended Salem College for one year, and after much talking on her part, her dad finally agreed that she could go to New York to study art. Janet knew she had to work harder than other students to please her dad with her grades and teacher’s comments.

After completing her courses, she made up a portfolio of her work as examples and began to look for a job doing Graphic Art. Because of her determination and her work ethic she was soon hired. Next, she went to an architectural firm to gain new experience there. Her time in New York was interrupted by the early death of her father at 49 years. As soon as she received this sad news, she returned to New Bern to be with her mother. Later on, she went south to Florida where she had a cousin and continued her art there. She became a very successful artist working in different mediums. Upon her return to New Bern, she sold her art at a gallery above the Henderson House in New Bern where her work was well received by the public.

Janet has spent her life at Christ Church except for her two working periods which took her away. She was baptized as an older child because her father was against the idea. One of her neighbors, Mrs. Mary Rice Dunn, encouraged her to be baptized. After her baptism, Mrs. Dunn mentored and directed her as she made future choices in her life; she was a positive influence in Janet’s life.

Janet is a woman of prayer always listening for God’s voice to nudge her into action. She dislikes any divisions within the church because she says we are all connected as brothers and sisters. Janet has studied the Moral Rearmament movement and lives by the premise that we must look at our own part in a disagreement before we judge our neighbor.

Janet exhibits great wisdom due to her life experiences, active mind, and wonderful sense of humor. She is a role model of her generation.