Sharlene Ruth Johnson Slothower

Sharlene was born in Oak Park, Illinois, May 1, 1932. Her parents were Herbert and Esther Johnson. Her brother was Walter Johnson.

Sharlene delighted in her 47 years of marriage to Howard Slothower, Jr. They were blessed with three wonderful children.

Survivors include daughter, Jodie Slothower and husband, Jan Susina and grandson Jacob; daughter, Bonnie Martin and husband, Rev. Kevin Martin and grandchildren Christopher and Bethany; and son, Alan Slothower and wife, Victorian Papazian.

Sharlene graduated from Oak Park-River Forest High School where she edited the high school newspaper, performed in theater productions, and played field hockey. Sharlene graduated cum laude from Saint Olaf College with a bachelor’s degree in English and Speech. She attended the Graduate School at Northwestern University. She received associate degrees from College of DuPage.

Sharlene was a teacher in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, before entering the field of educational publishing. During her career, she was a published writer, designed books, and traveled in the U.S. presenting about educational materials to educators.

For 25 years, Sharlene and Howard raised their family in Elmhurst, Illinois. Wherever she lived, Sharlene was active in many community and religious activities. She served on school boards and church committees, taught Sunday school, led Bible studies, and participated in Literacy Volunteers. She was President of Phi Kappa Phi at St. Olaf, President of AAUW in Baltimore area, and was an officer in the P.E.O. Sorority in Raleigh. She was a volunteer for the U.S. National Park Service in Maryland and served as a docent for the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Virginia.

While living at the Cypress, she enjoyed activities including art, book club, and scrapbooking. She liked traveling, gardening, writing, reading, history, and art. Most important to her was her faith, her family, and friends.

A memorial service to give honor and thanks to the Lord for all God’s blessings to Sharlene and her family will be held at 11 am on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1500 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. Sharlene will be buried at a later date at Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.

Memorials donations may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, www.oslcraleigh.org, or to The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, foodbankcenc.org.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC, is serving the Slothower family.