Florene was born on May 29, 1927 in Terry County, Texas. She was raised by her father and grandmother. She married the love of her life, Dewey Pace, on December 23, 1942. They were married over 60 years. They were best friends and always put each other first. Their marriage was the foundation that built a strong and loving family. They raised four children, Margaret, Vickie, Ronnie and Karen. Their children, grand children, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren were their pride and joy.
Florene was preceded in death by her husband Dewey; mother Pearl Hill Slaughter; father John Elmer Slaughter; grandmother, Allie McCray Slaughter and son-in-law, John Commodore Small.
She is survived by her sister, Irma Gomez and husband Manuel of Flower Mound; brother, John Slaughter and wife Pam of LaGrange; children, Margaret Hargrave and husband George of Midland, Vickie Small of Midland, Ronnie Pace and wife Janie of Ft. Worth and Karen Pace and Kenna Cantrell of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandchildren, Vickie Beebe and husband Willson of Midland, Mike Small and wife Georgann of Midland, Robby Pace and wife Victoria of Booneville, MS, Staci Kilgore and husband Alan of Midland, Missy Officer and husband Jim of Houston, Kristi Clabaugh and husband Steve of Lubbock, and Elizabeth Jones and husband Bobby of Fort Worth. She had 14 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren and one on the way. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and caregivers.
Florene was an active member at Sunset Church of Christ in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and North A Church of Christ in Midland, and loved reading the Bible. She was a cosmetologist in Carlsbad for many years and retired prior to her and Dewey moving to Midland. “Mammaw” was a kind, nurturing woman who taught us by her example to love and take care of others. She always had a heart full of love and a fridge full of food and no one would ever leave her house hungry. She was a wonderful cook and talented seamstress. She shared her love of cooking and sewing with her family. Anything she cooked or sewed, she did so with love. Gardening was a joyous pastime for her. She was a master at getting flowers and vegetables to bloom, just as she did her family.
For her family, she left a legacy of love. We have been richly blessed.
We want to thank all of those who touched her life with love and care. Many thanks to Manor Park and Manor Park Rehab, her doctors and nurses, Home Hospice and Miss Martha and her angels.
She was given such wonderful care and the relationships formed between her, her family and her caregivers will forever be woven into our hearts.
There will be a funeral service at 11 am on April 20, 2018 at Ellis Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to New Mexico Children’s Home in Portales, New Mexico, North A Church of Christ in Midland, Home Hospice, or the charity of your choice.
