Estelle Shelton Slate

Mrs. Estelle Shelton Slate, 88, of Twelve Oaks Assisted Living, formerly of Cabin Lane in Mount Airy, passed away Saturday, January 1, 2011, at Northern Hospital of Surry County. Mrs. Slate was born April 3, 1922, in Surry County, to the late James C. and Hallie Hicks Shelton. She retired from Lynne Hosiery Mill and was a member of Flat Rock Baptist Church. Estelle, through her determination and strong faith, single handedly raised her two sons after her husband, Hardin, was killed in World War II. Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Daisy Slate and Ronnie Slate, all of Mount Airy; five grandchildren and their spouses, Kennette and Ray Chappell, Jr. of Dobson, Alyson and Billy Needham of Ararat, Dusty and Jennifer Slate of Pilot Mountain, Shannon and Greg Gunnell of Mount Airy, and Brent Slate of Mount Airy; nine great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Eva and Clint Hylton, Brownie Nester, and Lucille Gillespie, all of Mount Airy; and several lifelong friends on Cabin Lane. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Slate was preceded in death by her husband, Hardin W. Slate; two sisters, Vestie Fleming and Barbara Anderson; four brothers, Sammy Shelton, James Shelton, Jr., Vaxter Shelton, and Orange Shelton; and a special family friend, Robert Carroll Monday. A graveside service will be held Monday, January 3, 2011, at 2:00 PM at Slate Family Cemetery in Asbury, with the Rev. Clint Hylton officiating. The family will receive friends Monday from 12:00 PM until the time to go the cemetery for the service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Slate Family Cemetery Fund, c/o Billy Slate, 339 Slate Farm Lane, Mount Airy, NC 27030. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Twelve Oaks Assisted Living.