Fern Celeste Latino's Obituary
Fern Celeste Latino, a native of White Oak, Texas, died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by loved ones on January 19, 2021 at age 95. Fern was a retired Production Planner-Schedule and Inventory Control Supervisor for Hughes Tool Co. in Houston, TX, for 43 years.
Fern attended White Oak High School, received her Associate’s degree from N. San Jacinto Jr. College, and her Bachelor’s degree from Elliot’s Business College. Fern was a board member and union officer of The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, an organization focused on the working people, before her management position at Hughes Tool Company.
Latino was an organizer, officer and charter member of Civic and Garden Clubs, and District Secretary with the United Way in Houston for ten years. She was active in many social groups before her retirement. Latino belonged to Baylor College of Medicine and Life Science of Austin. She was a member of White Oak Chamber of Commerce, Democratic National Committee DNC., former Secretary and Treasurer for the American Legion AUX. post #281 and a member of post #0140, an American Breweriana Member and an avid collector of steins. Fern leaves behind her a life of dedicated service and accomplishments.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Latino of Houston, Texas in 1964, parents Celeste Appel Powers and James Powers, brothers James Joseph Powers Jr. and John Henry Powers, and sister Louise Powers Hughes.
She is survived by her son Luke Latino of Crosby, TX, sister Madelyn Powers Alford of White Oak, TX, sister-in-love Loretta Powers of Henderson, TX; her two nieces, Celeste and husband Bob Coffee of Grosebeck, TX , and Cathy and husband Jerry Holland of White Oak, TX; her two nephews Ray and wife Kaye Alford of Garland, TX, and Charles Powers; her great nieces Tammy, Fern’s caregiver for the past 15 months, and husband Steve Denfeld of White Oak, TX, Becky Malone of Longview, TX, Jody and husband Matt Hamilton of Azle, TX, and Susan and husband Jason Waltors of Ft. Worth, TX; her great nephews Cameron and wife Sarah Alford of Sulpher Springs, TX, and Hayden and wife Dee Dee Alford of McKinney, TX.
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