Latunia (Tonya) Jeter was born and raised in Bossier City/Shreveport, Louisiana. She attended Panola Jr. College in Carthage, Texas, on a full basketball scholarship. She married her high school sweetheart, Herman Lee Jeter, Jr., and together raised a son, TraVelle and a daughter, Eboniey.
Before joining the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), she was employed with the Heart of Texas Goodwill, assisting veterans with securing employment and guiding them through the “ups, downs, and turn arounds” as a new civilian. She was honored to work with veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, as well as the Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. To quote General George S. Patton, “Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way!”
Latunia enlisted in the United States Army on October 1, 1992. She began her Army career as a Human Resources Specialist from 1992-2004, and a Counterintelligence Agent from 2004-2012. She deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Korea. During her tenure in the Army, she was awarded various awards; among those where the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and the Yellow Rose of Texas Award.
Latunia retired from the Army, after 20 years of service, at Fort Hood Army Installation in Killeen, Texas.
Latunia basically grew up on a farm, as she spent years assisting paternal grandparents with their crops, chicken, and cattle. She recalls shaking trees for pecans, placing them in a crocus bag (burlap bag), and selling them for 30 cents a pound.
“For those of you laughing, $15 was a lot of money in my day,” said Latunia.
In her free time, Latunia enjoys spending time with her family and listening to music, often singing off key!
This past summer, catastrophic flooding swept across the Hill Country of Texas, devastating seven counties where many of our Texas members live and farm. The Farmer Veteran Coalition acted quickly, issuing a statewide needs assessment. We chose a broad approach because many of those most affected lacked access to phones or computers, and yet word still reached them through local networks.
Every single response was personally contacted. Our national call center coordinated with the FVC Texas State Chapter President to make sure urgent needs were met. In some cases, this meant organizing cleanup work parties. In others, it meant connecting farmers to agencies and technical resources they might not otherwise have reached in time. The flooding underscored a hard truth: disasters are unpredictable, and when they strike rural communities, the impact is deep, and the response gap is wide.
Latunia is a big Marvel fan and her favorite Marvel movie is, you guessed it, Deadpool.
“You are never too old to start a career,” said Latunia.
Latunia works part-time for FVC as a Veteran Service Provider. Although she’s never worked a part-time job and didn’t think she would bring much to the table (aside from being a veteran), she says that working with FVC has been a very fulfilling employment as it affords her the opportunity to assist veterans.
“Being a soldier was and is something that I will always be proud of,” said Latunia. “Again, I am honored to work with veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.”
“I once was a soldier, but I will always be a veteran,” exclaims Latunia.
