Charlotte Slack

Charlotte Tonroy Slack, formerly of Pecos, Texas, died peacefully in Austin on September 1, 2026. She was born on July 31, 1930 to Morris Elliott Tonroy and Mary Audrey Payne and grew up in Corpus Christi.

After graduating salutatorian from Corpus Christi High School in 1947, Charlotte entered The University of Texas where she was chair of the Cultural Entertainment Committee, a member of Mortar Board honor society, and a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She then attended UT Law School where she wrote for the Law Review and was voted Portia, law school sweetheart. She graduated in 1953 and passed the bar exam with the 2nd highest score in the state. During her third year of law school she met Richard C. “Dick” Slack at the capitol where he was a freshman State Representative from Pecos, Texas. They married and raised three children in Pecos.

Charlotte was a leader in the Pecos community. She was an organizing member of the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce and was the chair of the Rodeo Parade. In 1967 she received the Award of Service from the Chamber of Commerce and in 1979 was named Outstanding Director. She was especially proud to have served as President of the Permian Basin Girl Scout Council, which later named her a Woman of Distinction. She also served on the UT Permian Basin Development Board, the Board of Friends of the Governor’s Mansion, and was President of the Representative’s Wives Club.

Charlotte was an Elder and Sunday School teacher at the First Presbyterian Church of Pecos for many years. She also served on the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church USA. In 1975 Charlotte became the self appointed “star” of the newly established Pecos Players. The group traveled around Texas performing their original play “Who Fired That Shot?” to honor and celebrate the Bicentennial. The troupe continued for ten years, performing many original plays and skits while making each other laugh. An accomplished seamstress, she made countless clothes and items for her children and grandchildren including dresses, pant suits, sport coats, curtains, and ornate garment bags. Charlotte was a consummate hostess and gave many large parties, including an annual pre-rodeo cocktail party. She also enjoyed snow skiing, tennis and an occasional scotch and water. After Dick’s death in 2013, Charlotte moved to Austin in 2017 and made dear friends at Westminster Senior Living Community.

Charlotte Slack is predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Dick Slack and her sister, Gwen French. She is survived by her sister Cheryl Marshall (Kent) of Sugar Land; her children Anne Mackey (Doug) of Odessa; Clay Slack (Ann) of Austin; Cynthia Shaw (Stan) of Austin; grandchildren Sarah Staley (Mark) of Midland; Dugger Faulkner (Rachel) of Burleson County; Trey Slack (Imogen) of San Antonio; Robert Slack of Austin; Margaret Murphy (Andrew) of Portland, OR; David Shaw (Jordan) of Pflugerville; Sara Shaw of Austin and nine great grandchildren.

The family expresses special thanks to the caring staff of The Arbour at Westminster and of Christopher House in Austin, TX. A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3208 Exposition Blvd, Austin, Texas on October 1 at 2:00 pm. A gathering will also be held at First Presbyterian Church of Pecos on October 3 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West of the Pecos Museum, PO Box 1784, Pecos, TX 79772; Hospice Austin, at HospiceAustin.org; or the charity of your choice.