Hollis Quay Lathem, 86 of Greensboro and formerly of Canton, passed away Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. The family will receive friends at Darby Funeral Home on Saturday, July 29th from 3-6pm. The memorial service will be on Sunday, July 30th at 2pm in the chapel of Darby Funeral Home with Dr. George Anderson officiating.

Hollis attended the University of Georgia and Woodrow Wilson Law School. Before sitting for the Bar exam he was recruited by AB Chandler into banking. His career in banking ranged from Loan Officer, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board. The various financial institutions he served included Etowah Bank, Citizens Bank, North Georgia Savings and Loan, Bank of North Georgia, North Georgia Bank, Wachovia Bank and Wells Fargo.

Hollis was influential in the education of two generations of Georgia's children having served on the State Board of Education. He was appointed by three separate Governors and ultimately served as Chairman of the Board.

Hollis was elected the first Cherokee County Commissioner Chair when the county went to a five member structure in the mid 1990s. Cherokee County was experiencing explosive growth. Hollis and his fellow board members tackled the challenges of balancing the small town feel he loved and had grown up in, with the residential and infrastructure growth needed to make Cherokee county appealing for both families and companies to relocate and thrive.

One of the forward thinking initiatives was the Cherokee County Water Authority on which he served for many years. His guidance helped the CCWA match the expansive growth the county enjoyed. His contributions were recognized by many, evident in the naming of the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir, the 334 acre jewel located in the northeast corner of Cherokee County that will secure water for generations.

He is survived by his wife Kay Parker Lathem of Greensboro, daughters Sherry (Fulton) Kuykendall of Canton, Holly (Neal) Brasfield of Canton, Misty (Brian) Groves of Canton and step daughter Ashley Parker Nichols of Athens as well as 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cherokee Education Foundation in his memory.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lathem family.

The Memorial Service will be live-streamed at:
https://vimeo.com/event/3599803