Mary Joy Slate passed away on October 1, 2023, at Banner Churchill Hospital in Fallon, Nevada. She was born Mary Joy Jones, in Los Angeles on November 12, 1948, to Roy and Capitola (Louise) Jones. She had three older siblings: Roy, Richard, and Virginia. She grew up in Bell Gardens, California, and attended high school and college in California.
Mary moved to Hawthorne, Nevada, in 1973 to teach in the Mineral County School District, first at the primary school in Babbitt and later in Hawthorne. As a teacher, she was conscientious and hardworking and she is remembered as being patient and understanding with her students. Mary retired from teaching in 2000. She valued her friendships with her fellow teachers and kept in touch with many of them over the years. Mary moved to Fallon in 2007. She married Russell Slate on August 1, 1981, in Hawthorne, and they had one child, Donald Joseph Slate, who was the center of her world.
She was raised in a Baptist Church and later was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Hawthorne, and the Lutheran Churches in Hawthorne and Fallon, Nevada. She always took an active role in the church—as a member of the choir, the Altar Society, the women’s association, and the governing board. She volunteered to read to the children at the St. John’s Lutheran daycare, getting books from the public library that she thought they would enjoy.
Mary was shy and had a quiet voice, although she had
a good singing voice. She took a lot of teasing over the years about being short. She was kind and caring with a ready smile. She had many friends because she was so sweet. She loved her siblings and extended family, and she enjoyed spending time with them. She had a grateful heart and never failed to thank someone sincerely for any kindness shown to her. Mary loved music of all kinds, but especially folk music from the 60s. She liked to read novels particularly mysteries and do crossword and jigsaw puzzles. Mary had a definite fondness for candy-- and anything chocolate.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, her siblings, and her husband. She is survived by her son,11 nieces and nephews, 18 great nieces and nephews, and a bunch of great greats. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fallon. Following the service, a luncheon will be served by the Lutheran Women in Mission. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Hawthorne City Cemetery.
Donations are suggested to the Memorial Fund of Mary Slate at St. John’s Lutheran Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Smith Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memories of Mary and messages to the family can be sent to P.O. Box 1395, Graeagle, CA 96103.