Charlotte was born on September 3, 1935, in Water Valley, Mississippi, to James Wesley and Ethel Mae Berry Brister. She graduated from high school in Crowder, Mississippi, in 1953, attended Draughn’s Business School in Memphis, Tennessee, and later graduated from Clarke College in Newton, Mississippi. While at Clarke College, she met William D. “Bill” Slay, and they married soon after graduation on March 31, 1956. Charlotte and Bill shared 54 wonderful years together, making their home in Jackson and later retiring to Clinton.
After Bill’s passing, Charlotte reunited with her high school sweetheart, Malcolm “Mac” McCafferty, with whom she had graduated from Crowder High School. They married on June 23, 2012, and enjoyed nearly ten years together, dividing their time between homes in Clinton, Mississippi, and Ocala, Florida.
Charlotte worked several jobs before becoming a secretary at Oak Forest Baptist Church, where she served faithfully for 25 years. During her time there, she formed many meaningful relationships and joyfully embraced numerous roles, including Sunday School teacher. She began the church’s first college-age Sunday School class, served on multiple committees, and contributed wherever she was needed. Charlotte was a devoted Christian woman, loved everyone she met and made each person feel her warmth, kindness, and genuine care. Her happiest moments were spent at church and with her family.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her husbands, Bill and Mac; her parents; three brothers; and three sisters, all of whom she loved dearly.
She is survived by her son, Chuck Slay (Sandra), and her daughter, Cathy Slay Kilpatrick (David); grandchildren Bret Slay, Whitney Slay Jones (Grant), Sydney Kilpatrick Foster (Hunter), Andrew Kilpatrick, and Scarlet Grace Kilpatrick; step grandchildren Zac Grantham (Kari Ann) and Chelsea Barlow (Brit), 13 great grandchildren, one brother Ray Brister, and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 10:00–11:00 a.m., at Lakewood Funeral Home in Jackson, Mississippi.
