Wilma Mae Slater

Wilma Mae Slater Wilma Mae Slater, age 98, a resident of Strafford, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, at the Strafford Care Center, Strafford, Missouri. Wilma was born on October 26, 1914, in Newtown, Missouri, where her parents owned and operated a pharmacy and general store. She was the eldest of four children born to the late Russell A. and Pearl M. (Kriner) Slater. She spent her childhood in the Clarence, Missouri area and attended Martin School. Wilma attended high school in Chillicothe, Missouri, Santa Monica, California, and graduated from Duncan Bridge High School, Duncan Bridge, Missouri, in 1933. She was united in marriage to Stanley Purdy in 1933. To this union one child was born, Patricia Purdy Haynes. Wilma was very active in aiding the administration of the Selective Service during World War II, and received a Certificate of Appreciation for her patriotic services from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. After the war, Wilma and her daughter moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she worked for several years as a bookkeeper for Purina Mills. In 1950, she returned to Chillicothe and married J.L. (Jack) Owens. They had a farming operation north of Chillicothe until October 1992. She lived in Chillicothe until 2006 when she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Strafford, Missouri. Over the years, Wilma worked as a cashier for her uncle at Slater's Grocery, demonstrated sewing machines and sewing techniques for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, cashier at the KuKu, head cook at Hedrick Medical Center, and was one of several people who helped start mobile meals. She retired from the hospital in 1980. Over the years, she taught sewing to the 4-H Show Me Club, was a life time member of the Eagles, and a member of the Royal Neighbors. Wilma loved to work in her vegetable and flower gardens, read, travel, play bingo, fish, and embroidery. She created beautiful crewel pictures and tea towels. Her needle work was outstanding. Wilma spent her last years playing bingo and visiting with her family and her friends. Survivors include one daughter, Pat Haynes and husband Ray of Strafford, Missouri; one grandson, Chris Haynes and wife Kim of Strafford, Missouri; one great granddaughter, Victoria "Tori" Haynes of Strafford, Missouri; two step great grandsons, Brandon Davis of Monument, Colorado, and Derique Davis of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; and one sister, Vivian Rodebaugh of Boise, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Roger Slater and Rex Slater; and both husbands. Graveside services will be held at the May Cemetery, Chula, Missouri, on Saturday, August 31, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. A scheduled family visitation will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Saturday, August 31, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, August 30, 2013, from 12 noon until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the May Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.