Joanne Roberts Slate

Joanne Slate, 83, entered heaven on Monday, February 23, 2015 after graciously fighting lung cancer for six years. She was born on September 7, 1931 in Pruitt City, OK. Her parents were Lola (Means) Roberts and E. G. McAfee. She graduated from Fox Consolidated School in 1949 and soon married Bob Slate. Joanne was employed as a legal secretary and later graduated from Nursing School at Tishomingo, OK. She worked as a R.N. for twenty-three years and retired from the Oklahoma State Department of Health in 1993. She and Bob moved to Van Buren, AR in 2000. Joanne was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandma and friend and was a godly example for all who knew her. She faithfully served in her churches playing the organ and singing, teaching Sunday School, quilting, and cooking meals.

Preceding her in death are her grandson, Shane Loy, her sister, Polly Vevurka and her sister-in-law, LaVerne Holmes. Left to cherish her memory are her husband Bob of sixty-five years, two daughters, Beverly and husband Dr. Luc Balis of Fort Smith, AR and Lisa Cox of Arlington, TX; three grandchildren, Tatianna and Jared Balis of Fort Smith, AR and Paige Sirmans of Sherman, TX; and two great-granddaughters, Chloe and Braylee Loy of Sherman, TX; one sister, Judy and husband Woody Woodard of Blanchard, OK; two brother-in-laws, Mike Vevurka of Midwest City, OK and Mansel Holmes of Shreveport, LA as well as many wonderful friends.

Honoring her as pallbearers are Tilsey Byram, Charles Campbell, Paul Kendrick, Wesley Shelley, Ford Sosebee, Bill Vaughn.

Funeral services honoring the life of Joanne will be held at one o’clock on Friday, February 27, 2015 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, Fort Smith, AR. Officiating will be Pastor Bobby Johnson. Interment will follow in the Fort Smith National Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends at Edwards Funeral Home, Fort Smith, AR on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to her church, Van Buren First Assembly of God, 1014 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren, AR 72956.