Ralph Edward Slate Sr.

Ralph Edward Slate Sr., 83, departed this life and entered into the presence of God on April 16, 2010. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Grant Street Church of Christ with Mike Nix and Alan Wakins officiating. Visitation will be Monday, April 19, 2010 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home.

Mr. Slate was born January 11, 1927 in Hartselle to Leonard Edward and Irene Wright Slate. He graduated from Morgan County High School in 1944 with honors. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Alabama. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1949.

Mr. Slate served as the Morgan County Solicitor from 1951 to 1958. He served three terms representing the people of Morgan County in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1962 to 1974. He practiced law in Morgan County for 60 years.

Mr. Slate served in the United States Army with the occupation forces in Japan from 1946 to 1947. He also served as a captain with the Army during the Korean War where he served as part of the Judges' Advocacy Corp for three years. After his discharge, he continued serving with the Army Reserves from 1953 to 1963. During his service to his nation, he received many awards and honors, including the Bronze Star.

Mr. Slate was a member of Grant Street Church of Christ, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Morgan County Bar Association. He was recognized by the Alabama State Bar Association for 50 years of dedicated service to the bar.

Mr. Slate was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Irene Wright Slate, and his brothers, Thurman Ray Slate and Rudolph W. Slate. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Anne Vinsant Slate; his five children, daughter Beth Slate Poe (Doug), Cindy Slate Cook (Bill), Shelly Slate Waters (Mark), Ralph Edward Slate Jr. (Sophie), and Amy Slate Sokol (Harry); two brothers, Royce Slate (Darlene) and Robert Slate (Judy); two sisters, Reba Slate Wallace (Roy) and Margie Slate Crocker (Jack); 11 grandchildren, Caroline Margaret Cook, Anne Elisabeth Poe, William Slate Cook, Taylor Slate Poe, Benjamin Slate Waters, Victoria Talbot Waters, Molly Katherine Sokol, Samuel Wright Waters, Luc Ralph Robert Slate, Edward Slate Sokol and Ellis Clark Sokol.

Pallbearers will be Ronald Wallace, Randell Wallace, Rex Slate, Shawn Barnes, Robin Slate, and Andy Slate.

Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Slate, Harold Jeffers, Ralph Stout, and Nob Ody.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grant Street Church of Christ building foundation, Hospice of the Valley, or to your favorite charity.

Published in the Decatur Daily on April 18, 2010 e-mail print