She was born September 16, 1927 in Houston, Texas to Lillie Beatrice (Harbuck) and W. H. Jordan. She grew up on 1511 Ashland St. in the Heights of Houston. She graduated from Reagan High School at the age of fifteen. At that time, during World War II, Alta regularly took the bus downtown to the USO to visit with the troops.
Next came enrollment in Sam Houston State College. Alta met two lifelong friends there, Zaidee Brittain and Janice Slack. After she received an emergency teaching certificate, her first teaching job began at Colmesneil ISD.
It was at that time, her friend, Janice Slack, would invite her to Lufkin for weekend visits. There at the Slack home in Lufkin, Alta met Janice’s older brother, Albert. Albert was a naval aviator in the South Pacific and the war was winding down when they were introduced. After the war, the sweethearts were married in April of 1946 in the home of T. C. and Ella Jester.
The couple subsequently began a family with Sandra, Sally, and Robert. Albert worked in his dad’s family masonry business, Slack Brothers and Bruce.
In 1962, Albert and his brother Leslie left the family job and opened one of the first cash and carry building material businesses, Leslo Sales. Alta worked on the floor selling hardware, plumbing, and everything for building a home. She liked helping and getting to know customers in the community over the years. Also, she was the store bookkeeper, a job at which she both excelled and loved.
In the eighties, they put their children in charge of the stores and retired to enjoy life. They loved being members of two RV travel clubs and drove many miles to see the country. When in town, they danced with the Polka Dots and the SPJST.
After Albert’s passing in 1995, Alta became involved in all sorts of volunteer groups to enrich her life. She worked with the Angelina Chamber of Commerce and supported Lufkin with zeal as she attended many events. She had coffee every morning with the crew at Chick-fil-A after walking with the Heart Trackers in the mall. She popped many bags of popcorn at Memorial Hospital for the Ladies’ Auxiliary, was a member of the Historical Society, and was part of Amos Lewis’ senior police academy.
As her health failed, she gave up most of her volunteer work but found much joy in a small group of women who met each week to play “Mexican Train”. Some of her happiest hours were filled with the quest of a good domino game.
Alta’s first love was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She attended Dunn’s Chapel Church of Christ and met with a women’s Bible study group weekly at the home of Mary Jo Gorden. She loved to hear the sermons of her preacher, Bob Owens. She was a daily Bible reader and loved the Scripture.
Her second love was her family, whom she lovingly served her whole life. She was a superb cook, mother, grandmother, and wife. She loved all humankind and nothing made her happier than to help people. Alta put others before herself.
Survivors include her daughter, Sandra Murphy and husband Jim; daughter, Sally Clifton and husband Terry; son, Robert Slack and wife Kim; sister, Vivian Jordan Shultz; grandsons, Cliff Hutson and wife Chela, Brex Hutson and wife Reta, Matt Clifton and wife Miranda, and John Slack and wife Tam; and granddaughters, Sarah Sapp and husband Jacob and Sarah Beth Slack. Alta loved her many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. She was a loving Aunt Alta and Memaw. Each one had a special place in her heart.
Those who preceded her in death were her parents; her husband, Albert Slack; a baby girl, Karen Sue Slack; and granddaughter, Rebecca Lynn Clifton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dunn’s Chapel Church of Christ, 1212 Bethlehem Road, Lufkin, TX 75904; or to Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, TX 75904. Her family appreciates the wonderful care she received from the staff at Huntington Healthcare and hospice care during her final days.
Pallbearers will be Jacob Sapp, Bruce Preckwinkle, Brian Preckwinkle, James Clay, George Clay and Bob Harbuck.
Honorary pallbearers will be James Slack, Edward Bruce, Bill Bruce and Steve Hannah.
Services for Alta will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Bob Owens officiating. Interment will follow in the Whitehouse Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com
Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.
