Virgil Oakley Slaughter

V. Oakley Slaughter, age 95, a fifth generation Floridian, passed away Saturday, July 7, 2018 at his home in Columbia TN.

Born April 22, 1923 in Bradenton, Florida, he was the second son of Robert Eugene Slaughter and Annie Lorene Smith Slaughter. On November 5, 1943, he married the love of his life, Althea Murray Carter Slaughter. Following seventy years of marriage, Althea proceeded him death in 2014. Oakley was a life time member of the Church of Christ, worshipping most recently with the Smyrna Road congregation in Lewisburg TN .

Survivors include his son, Bob Slaughter (Pam) of Columbia TN and daughters Candace Blankenship (Claude) of Brentwood TN and Debby Rowley (Alan) of Melbourne, Australia. He had ten grandchildren living from coast to coast in the US and in Australia and twenty-four great grandchildren. Oakley was also survived by his sister, Dora Ella Sheffield of Florida and his sister-in-law, Priscilla Holbert of Virginia and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Oakley was preceded in death by his brother, Cyril O (Buck) Slaughter, his sister, Dorma Jean Slaughter and his eldest son, Richard Greg Slaughter.

As a Christian, his first priority in life was always the will of God. He was a faithful man of God, serving as an elder in three congregations and teaching Bible classes. He never missed an opportunity to encourage others in their love for and obedience to the Lord while remaining a humble and dedicated servant himself.

Oakley was a grocer by occupation, starting work with his local A&P Food store when he was just a youngster and working with them part-time when he was a student and fulltime after graduating from high school. He returned to A&P after serving in the US Navy, seeing active duty in WWII including involvement at Normandy in the D-Day invasion. He worked with A&P in numerous roles over a forty-three year career after which he became the owner of Towne Square Grocery in Perry FL. The store opened many avenues of ministry for Oakley as he reached out to people in all walks of life. He retired from his career at age 69.

The honorary and active pall bearers are: Oakley’s grandsons Mike Rapp, Trace Blankenship, Chris Alley, Kevin Demoff, CJ Blankenship, Jon Blankenship, Chris Blankenship; great-grandson, Blaine Hendry; and dear friend, Buster Collins and Roscoe Brannon.

The family will visit with friends on Monday, July 9, 2018 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia and on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 1:00 pm with Earl Campbell officiating. Interment will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens.

A special thanks to Oakley’s friends far and wide who spent time visiting with him, calling, sending cards and church bulletins, and holding him in their prayers.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Evangelism Missions, Stewartsville Church of Christ, PO Box 93, Cloverdale, Alabama 35617 Attn: Wayne Barrier

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.williamsfh.com .