Edith "EssieMae" Stark Slade

Edith leaves behind to cherish her memory her granddaughter, Charlene Enriquez; son-in-law, Richard S. Enriquez; grandson, Jawanza K. Stark; great-grandchildren, Aparicio, Daucier, and Saadia Crouchet, 3 great-grandkids, Pamela, Elijah, and Jaylynn Stark; the Crouchet family; and many family and friends.

Edith is preceded in death by her husband, James F. Slade; daughter, Pamela Stark; son, Kenneth Stark; and sisters, Betha Wade, Thelma Patterson, and Lorretta Brown and their spouses.

Faith played a big role in Edith’s life being a Jehovah’s Witness as she pioneered for her Hall. She also loved to travel and be social with friends and family. She always wanted the best for her grandchildren and spoiled them with love. She also loved her social circle of Kingdom Hall members and senior citizens.

Edith loved the Bible truths she was learning and began a long life of zealous effort to share the things she had learned. Her zeal to share these Bible truths traces back to her roots in the Liberty Congregation in Queens. One of her very best friends, Wynnerford Richards recalled how Edith was “always in the tract work”.

Always happy and joyful, she was never missing from her spot at the Kingdom Hall and always with her nails done! Later, when the meetings had to go virtual, she became a fixture on Zoom. Edith also continued her zealous approach to the ministry. Multiple times an astonished stranger would watch in bewilderment as a frail elderly woman got out of a car, slowly walked up, and offered them a tract. Sister Slade did her best to “fully accomplish her ministry”.

Edith wore many different hats as a person. At 95, she wore hats we could not fathom, roles such as: wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. This may be new to you but she wore the hat of an athlete. An athlete of life. You don't get to see 95 and not be doing something right.

Deuteronomy 5:33 states, "You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess."

Grandma made a decision to serve the Lord and for this, we can clearly see that God blessed her with long life.

Grandma was always remembered; when going to dinners and gatherings she was always asked for. She had a way of bringing a feeling of warmth, love, and family out in everyone. Grandma adopted many family & friends she loved.

She will be missed…

You could always count on grandma to say things like: “Oh hush”…when we (Daucier & Richard) would playfully argue with her.

When asked if she was going to share the driving when we would travel, without hesitation would say, “I’m not driving!”

You had better not be in the way when you would let her know it is time to eat, she would be fast walking to the table!

Lastly, she would never hesitate to let you know how she felt, to be there for her family and friends for anything they needed.

Edith stood out in life for her smile, her laugh, and always wanting to have a good time with her family and friends. She was the fun g-ma and everyone who had the pleasure to know her loved her for who she was and for all the love she gave to all… she will be missed.

A visitation for Edith will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232 followed by a Celebration of Life from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM. A procession will take place at 1:15 PM for a committal service from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNorthFuneralHome.com for the Stark Slade family.