Ruth B. Slentz

Mrs. Slentz, of the Summit Place of SouthPark and formerly of Macon, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2012 in the care of Presbyterian Hospital’s Harris Hospice Unit.

Born December 31, 1917 in Detroit, Michigan, Mrs. Slentz was a daughter of the late Clinton B. and Adelaide Klingman Bastin. She received her degree as a registered nurse from Grady School of Nursing and later received a bachelor’s degree from Agnes Scott and a master’s from Emory University. She used her nursing skills in the U.S. Army Nurses Corps during World War II and attained the rank of Captain.

Mrs. Slentz’s career was spent as a Professor of Biology at Mercer University and Wesleyan College. She was a devoted member of First Christian Church in Macon, Georgia and also held membership with Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and the League of Women Voters. She is especially remembered for her lifelong love of learning, both as an educator and a student.

Her family includes her son, Allen Slentz and his wife, Vianne, of Warner Robbins, GA; her daughter, Laraine Campbell and her husband, Rob, of Charlotte, NC; granddaughters, Jessica Slentz Clifton, Beth Slentz, and Kristen Slentz and great-grandson Jackson Clifton. Also surviving are three brothers, Alfred Bastin and his wife, Ruthie, and Clinton Bastin and his wife, Barbara, all of Decatur, GA; and Kenneth Bastin of Massachusetts.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Georgia (Jo) Smith and Dorothy Pinyan; and a brother, Roger Bastin.

A service to celebrate Mrs. Slentz’s life will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, February 27th at Christ Presbyterian Church, 2461 Arty Avenue in Charlotte, with the Reverend Stephen Ratliff officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Christian Church of Macon, Georgia; the Harris Hospice Unit; or a charity of the donor’s choice.