Lila Jo Slater

Lila Jo Slater, age 82 of Newcastle, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Jo was born August 23, 1934 in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the 2nd of 4 daughters born to Clarence William and Frances Louise (Talla) Bush. She was raised in Pocasset and attended school at Meridian Schools where she graduated as class valedictorian. Jo married her best friend and the love of her life, Ben Morell Slater on June 19, 1953 in Pocasset. Together, they raised 3 children; daughter, Ben'ee and sons, Steven and William. Balancing marriage and children, she returned to school, later graduating with a Bachelors of Education Degree from Oklahoma Baptist University. In 1962, The Slater family settled in Newcastle where Jo began her teaching career. She later taught in the Oklahoma City School District, and retired in 1988 from Van Buren Elementary School after more than 26 years as an Educator. She remained active in her community by volunteering for the Pioneer Library, also serving as a Board Member for many years. She spent countless hours volunteering at CASA, advocating for underprivileged children and children at risk. She enjoyed traveling with Ben after their retirement and was an excellent hostess. Jo enjoyed tending to her garden and was known affectionately for her cooking, especially her fried chicken, blackberry cobblers, and homemade jam. Jo was very progressive in her thinking, and a strong woman of faith. She was a charter member of the Newcastle United Methodist Church, and her church was very central to her life. She served faithfully as Lay Leader and served on various committees throughout the years. She taught Sunday school and worked in the kitchen, always helping anywhere she could. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and leaves a great legacy and a lifetime of memories for her family. She will be dearly missed! Jo was preceded in death by: Her husband, Ben Slater and her Parents, Clarence and Frances Bush. She leaves behind: Her daughter Ben'ee Slater Braden of Anchorage, AK; Two sons: Steve Slater of OKC and Dr. William M. Slater and wife Lori of Seminole; 3 sisters: Mary Lee Spurlin of Chickasha, Dr. Virginia Ann Bush of Albuquerque, NM and Ella Kay Klein of Manchester, NH; 7 grandchildren: Kyle, Garrett, Grant, Rebecca Jo, James (J.B.), Kaeli, and Jacquie; 2 great grandchildren: James and Lila; and a host of other family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Monday, at Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Newcastle. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pioneer Library @ 300 Norman Center Court, Norman OK 73072, or CASA @ 100 W. Harrison Street, North Tower, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98119, Attn: Resource Development Memorial Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at the Newcastle United Methodist Church. Send online condolences at wilsonlittle.com

Lila Jo Slater

August 23, 1934 - April 26, 2017