Wilma Lathrop

Wilma Lathrop, age 82, of Sheldon, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at Truman Healthcare Center after a brief illness.     She was born July 15, 1933, in Spruce, MO, to the late Lola Evans Dickerson and Paul Vermillion Dickerson.     She attended school in Butler, MO. She married Glen Gilbert Slates in 1950 and to this union, three children were born; Glenna, Carla and Roy. She was widowed in 1956. On February 12, 1958 Wilma married Weldon Gene Lathrop, they made their home and raised their family in Sheldon. Gene preceded Wilma in death on October 9, 2005.     After obtaining her cosmetology license, Wilma owned and operated the Hair Palace Salon, in Sheldon, for a number of years.     She was a devoted historian and genealogist and spent years researching, abstracting, indexing and compiling over 30 books on Vernon County history that have been published by the Tri-County Genealogical Society. She also published a monthly genealogy newsletter.     She was a devoted member of the Worldwide Church of God.     Wilma is survived by her sister, Coetta Kropf of Stockton, MO; her children, Glenna Reaves and husband Jerry, Carla Jett and husband, Dennis, all of Sheldon, MO, and Roy Slates of Nevada, MO; eight grandchildren, Shanda (Dr. Charles) Winslow of Lamar, MO, Ticylee (John) Browning of Joplin, MO, Michael (Jenny) Reaves of Lamar, MO, Sean (Danetta) Jett of Walker, MO, Mandee (Rick) Menago of Lexington, MO, Lena (Donnie) Kleeman, Sheldon, MO, Reed Slates, Nevada, MO, Jill (Travis) Spencer, Edna KS, and 16 great-grandchildren.     Private graveside committal services and interment will be at Sheldon Cemetery at a later date.    Memorial contributions are suggested to the Vernon County Genealogical Society in care of Daniel Funeral Home.