Althea M. Slaughter

Althea Murray Slaughter, age 89, a resident of Gillespie Lane in Columbia went to be with her Lord and Savior in the early hours of Saturday morning at her home.
Althea came into this world on December 23, 1924 in Abilene, Texas, born to the late Morgan Higdon Carter and Jane Althea Houston. Althea would describe herself as a homemaker, but people who knew her would smile at hearing that description, knowing that she was much more than that. She was a very talented seamstress, making most of her and her children’s clothes. She also sewed professionally, specializing in bridal clothes. Her stitching extended beyond sewing to needlepoint and crocheting which she used as a ministry. Althea was well known for stitching stocking caps and stuffed animals for children being treated at hospitals in Perry, Florida and Gainesville, Florida. Her talents also won her numerous blue ribbons in district and state Women’s Club shows.
Althea also ministered faithfully through the Church of Christ in Jacksonville, Tampa and Perry Florida as a Sunday School teacher and Ladies Bible Class teacher. She constantly served others through hospitality and countless meals cooked and delivered to the needy, the sick and the bereaved. Each Sunday morning for years she stopped by the hospital with Scripture cards for the lunch trays of the patients to bring them comfort and cheer.
Althea and her husband, Oakley, owned the Towne Square Grocery in Perry, Florida which they used as an outreach ministry to the surrounding community. Althea was the chaplain of the Woman’s Club, a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Perry, as well as a member of the local Garden Club. She also served as a troop leader for the Cub Scouts and the Girl Scouts.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 4th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home, as well as Wednesday one hour prior to the service. Services for Althea will be held on Wednesday, February 5th beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Williams Funeral Home in Columbia with Jim Cox officiating and Eddie Rogers leading the singing. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens.
Her grandsons and grandsons-in-law: Chris Alley, Mike Rapp, Trace Blankenship, Kevin Demoff, C.J. Blankenship, Jon Blankenship and Chris Blankenship will serve as pallbearers.
Althea is survived by her husband of over 70 years, V. Oakley Slaughter of Columbia, TN; One son: Robert (Pam) Slaughter of Columbia; Two daughters: Candace (Claude) Blankenship of Brentwood, TN and Deborah (Alan) Rowley of Melbourne, Australia; Two sisters: Cornelia (Dr. Richard) Sundermann of Little Rock, AR and Priscilla Holbert of Annandale, VA. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. Althea was preceded in death by her son Richard Greg Slaughter as well as her brother William H. Carter.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Franklin County Evangelism Missions, c/o Stewartsville Church of Christ, P. O. Box 93, Cloverdale, AL 35617 or to World Evangelism, P. O. Box 72, Winona, MS 38967.
Williams Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. You may send the family condolences at www.williamsfh.com .