Obituary of Carol Slaughter

SLAUGHTER, Carol J. Beloved Mom, Aunt, MeeMaw, Great-Grandmother, and dear friend passed away gently and peacefully on March 27, 2020. 90 years of full and faithful living, always caring for others before herself, and loved and remembered by everyone touched by her life.

Born on December 4, 1929 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Carol was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Letha Schneider, her sister, Ellen Jean Caldwell, and her husband, Dr. B.B. Slaughter. Survived by her loving family, including: son Gary L. Springer, and grandsons Brian Springer (St. Petersburg, FL) and Charlie Springer (San Francisco, CA); niece Susan K Beam (Steve) (Lafayette, IN), and their children Allison Beam (Indianapolis, IN) and Aaron Beam (Erica), and family Grissom, Declan, Jocelyn and Alexa (Frankfort, IN); son Mark Slaughter (Debi) (La Plata, MO), and their children Sarah Slaughter (Jared Bruce) (Bend, OR), Emily Squires (Kenny) (St. Louis, MO), andTyson Roberts (Katie) and family Jackson and Benjamin Roberts (Columbia, MO); and daughter Amy Slaughter Lewis (James) (Mountainair, NM), and their children Brittany Chesnutt (A.J. Mesler) and family Dominic, Peyton & Oliver (St. Petersburg, FL), Thompson Chesnutt (Mountainair, NM); and Shannon Songer (Jimmy) and their family Sierra Shaw and family Hunter, Oakley & River, and Rachel Shaw (South Prairie, WA).

Carol is also survived by her faithful companion, Lucy, her rescue English Springer Spaniel who brought she and Bob so much joy and comfort, and who was a friend to so many residents at the Fountains of Boca Ciega Bay, where she and Lucy resided. Carol leaves behind countless friends in all the places she resided throughout her long life, in Indianapolis (IN), in St. Petersburg (FL), in Wolf Laurel (NC), in Sun City Center (FL), and in South Pasadena (FL).

Just a bit over 90 years old, Carol Slaughter was a remarkable human being, who lived her 90 years to the fullest until her final breath. A woman of deep faith, she lived her life always caring for others before herself. She was joyously involved in every aspect of church life in first the United Methodist Church and after she and Bob married, in the Episcopal Church. She served on every board, served communion, and sang in the choir. She was an unstoppable volunteer, whether for the PTA, raising funds for causes like breast cancer and building hospices, or paving roads in her mountain retreat. She unselfishly gave of herself all the days of her life.

Carol had a decades-long career in banking with Florida National Bank (St. Petersburg), rising from teller to Vice President and Branch Manager and breaking down barriers along the way.

She was an avid sportsperson: In high school, she was a gymnast and a cheerleader; in retirement, she took up golf and excelled at it in her 50s all the way until she was 89. She and Bob never missed a Florida Gators home football game for decades. And, she still “coached” the Tampa Bay Rays through the TV during every game. Oh, and you should have seen her when she was winning dog shows with her prize-winning Basenjis, a rare breed in the early 1960s. If you ever played golf, or bridge, or any other incarnation of a game, she played to win!

She embraced change, and loved challenges. Just last month she decided to become a Ninja Foodie expert so she could cook her own recipes again! And she did just that.

She was a loving Mom, first to her son Gary, but also to all of the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews that came along over the decades of her life. And to so many who truly thought of her as Mom. What a blessing she was to all of us for so long. Thanks for it all, Mom. There is no forgetting all we learned by the example of your life and living. We're gonna miss you.

Given the times we find ourselves in, a service and celebration of Carol’s life will be scheduled later. Once the family can gather again, she will be interred with her husband Bob at the Columbarium of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In lieu of flowers and if you feel so moved, please donate to the charity of your choice in her memory.