Matthew Kenton “Kent” Latham, age 47, of Scottsboro, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2024. He is survived by his two daughters, Reagan Latham and Maggie Latham; parents, Rayford and Meta Latham; and twin brother, Bent Latham. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Raymond and Ruth Latham and Bill and Louise Petty. Kent attended Mud Creek Baptist Church in Stevenson, Alabama.
Kent was born on February 22, 1977 in Huntsville, Alabama. He was a 1995 graduate of Scottsboro High School, where he played quarterback. In his most memorable game, Kent threw a “hail Mary” TD pass in the closing seconds to defeat Albertville-a play so spectacular that it was featured nationally as ESPN’s Play of the Day. Kent earned his BS degree from the University of North Alabama in 2002 while on a ROTC scholarship. At UNA, Kent was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Kent proudly served in the military for over 27 years, first in the U.S. Navy and then in the Army Reserves, where he was promoted to the rank of Major. One of the highlights of his service included a worldwide deployment on the USS Nimitz. His greatest love, however, was for his daughters, whom he adored.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 17, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home. The military funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. James Jeffery. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Mud Creek Baptist Church Building Fund in memory of Kent.
