Latta Malette Autrey
Latta Malette "LM" Autrey (July 7, 1876 - May 17, 1938) was the 25th mayor of Orlando, Florida, and served one term from 1926-1928. Two of his former homes are now designated as historical landmarks, the Autrey-Williams House in Newton, Texas, built in 1912 and now being restored by David Holmes and the L. M. Autrey House in the Eola Heights Neighborhood of Orlando, Florida Early Life. Latta was born on July 7, 1876 in Cumberland County, North Carolina, the first of six children born to Alfred R. and Elizabeth R. (Johnson) Autrey. He was fourth  cousins twice removed to "the Singing Cowboy" Gene Autry, through their common ancestors Cornelius George and his wife Elizabeth Paige (Culbreth) Autrey. He may have been born in Eastover, North Carolina, as that is where he was living in the 1880 census. His 1890 and 1900 censuses have not been found. Marriage and Children. Latta married Leila Brannan on November 1, 1903, in Greene County, Mississippi. He met here there and they lived there until the turpentine industry was exhausted there sometime around 1908. From there they moved to Jasper, Texas. They had 7 children in the course of their  marriage, Gladys (McGill), Lottie Mae (Rex), Anna "Annie" Rosa (Hoffmann), Latta Malette Jr. (who died at 3 years 9 months), Olive "Ollie", Elizabeth "Bessie" (Jones), and Walter. The first three were born in Mississippi, and the rest were born in Texas. Mayor of Orlando. Sometime before 1926, the family moved to Orlando, Florida. There, Latta decided to run for mayor, and won. He assumed duty on January 1, 1926. On January 1, 1929, he was replaced by James LeRoy Giles. In 1929, the family then moved to Valdosta, Georgia. Death. Latta passed away from coronary thrombosis caused by arterial hypertension  and atherosclerosis on May 17, 1938 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was 61 years old. He was buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery.