Mary Francis Slaughter of Searcy, Arkansas passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the age of 91. Mary was born June 17, 1927 to J. Marshall and Tressa (Nowles) Newsom in El Dorado, Arkansas. After graduating from high school in 1945 she was employed as a secretary until she married Jack T. Coleman in 1947. Throughout their marriage, she and Jack lived in many places including Monticello, Arkansas, Mattoon, Illinois, and Roswell, New Mexico. They returned to El Dorado, Arkansas in 1962. In 1976 Mary and Woodrow Slaughter were united in marriage. Woodrow passed away in 1995. In 2004 Mary moved to Searcy, AR to be near her sons. She was a faithful member of the Westside Church of Christ in Searcy. When she was no longer able to attend services, Christians from Westside would have church at her home every Sunday evening. She looked forward to this time of fellowship and worship.
During the last few years of her life, Mary was blessed with wonderful caretakers who became part of the family. One of her favorite things was to spend time with her loved-ones, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed sharing recipes and good food with friends and family. She had a big smile and a kind heart that will long be remembered.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Woodrow; grandson, Deric Coleman; sister, Betty Jane Rhyan; and daughter-in-law, Bobbie Coleman.
She will be missed by daughter, Susan Washburn of New Castle, WY; and three sons, Tom Coleman of Searcy, AR, Scott (Sherrie) Coleman of Searcy, AR and Eric (Cathy) Coleman of Little Rock, AR; eight grandchildren, Stacy (Brady) Besel, Matt Washburn, Mark (Kim) Washburn, Luke (Lydia) Coleman, Leah Jo (Bobby) Clements, Seth (Bethanie) Coleman, Sarah Coleman (Mark), and Cross Coleman; eight great-grandchildren, Logan, Wyatt, Reagan, Karlie, Mason, Greenlee, Lillian, and Matthew; brother, Robert Newsom of Sonoma, CA; and sisters, Relda Bateman of El Dorado, AR, and Marsha Odom of Crookston, MN.
Visitation will be at Perry’s Funeral Chapel from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Wednesday, February 6th. Graveside service, conducted by Mary’s grandson, Seth Coleman, will be immediately following visitation at Arlington Cemetery in El Dorado, AR at 3:30 PM. Memorials may be sent to Westside Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas.
Online condolence at www.perrysfuneralchapels.com.