Service

Friday, October 17, 2025

Family Visitation: 11:00 A.M.

Funeral Service: 12:00 Noon

Held at

Nelson & Sons Chapel Murfreesboro

448 East Burton Street

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Interment

Evergreen Cemetery

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Shirley Ann Pauline Beard Latham, the seventh child of seven children born to the late Glen Beard, Sr. and Permilia R. Beard on the 18th day of January 1949. She passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the age of 76 years old.

Shirley lived a life of Faith, Love and Service:

Shirley loved the Heavenly Father first and kept him at the center of everything she did. Every accomplishment, every victory and every act of kindness came from walking hand in hand with God. Shirley often said that nothing she achieved was by her own strength, it was the grace, wisdom and favor of the Father who guided her steps.

Shirley obtained her nursing degree from Tennessee State University on May 7, 1994, and faithfully served her country by caring for veterans at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center for 24 years. With compassion and excellence, she poured her heart into helping others, always reflecting on the love of God through her service.

Shirley’s greatest mission was to teach her family that living God’s way was the only true way of life. Her faith never wavered, her love never faded and her strength came from the Father who was always by her side. Each Sunday she joyfully held Bible study with her grandson, complete with lessons and quizzes, planting seeds of faith in his heart. One of her greatest joys was teaching and spending precious time with her grandson, Sam.

Her legacy is one of faith, devotion and unshakable love – a legacy that will live on in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She walked life with grace and left behind the light of Christ for all to follow.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Johnny Beard and two sisters, Rowena Turner and Margaret Swafford.

Shirley shared her life and love with her devoted husband of 34 years, David Curtis Latham and together they built a home filled with faith, warmth and family. David stood faithfully by her side through every season of life, sharing in her joys, her ministry and her love for God. Their bond was one of deep respect and enduring love – a true partnership anchored with the love of God in faith and grace.

Shirley leaves to cherish her memories, her loving husband, David Curtis Latham; one son, Charlie W. (Kathy) Frazier; three daughters, Carmelle C. Glenn, Nechelle A. Denning and Demetrice Nicole Fitzgerald; two devoted stepchildren, Paige L. (Robbie) Davis and Ramsey M. Latham; 11 grandchildren and 13 great- grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.