Susan Kelley Slagle

Susan K. Slagle entered into Eternal Life on Thursday, January 23, 2014. She was born to George and Lucille Kelley on November 26, 1919 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. She attended the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority and active on the Tennis Team and drama productions.

In January 1942, she married Floyd E. Watts, a graduate of the School of Mines Engineering College in Rolla, Missouri. He worked at The Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland where they lived for 10 years and where their two daughters were born. In 1952, the family moved to Yuma after Floyd was named Chief Engineer to rebuild the Yuma Test Station into becoming the new Yuma Proving Ground.

During her earlier years in Yuma, Susan was busy as a member of Beta Sigma Phi, First Presbyterian Church, Parkview Hospital Auxiliary, and Yuma Golf & Country Club. She dabbled in fashion modeling before beginning a career in Real Estate. After a divorce, Susan remarried in 1968 to R. Jess Slagle and they lived in Farmington, New Mexico where Jess worked at Arizona Public Service and Susan continued her successful 30 year real estate career until 1993.

While living in Farmington, Susan transferred her love for golf, sorority and church as well as joined the San Juan Hospital Auxiliary, Knife & Fork Club, served on the Community Concert Board of Directors, and served as President of the Ladies Association of their country club. It was during these social years that Susan began her passion for cooking and entertaining in her home. After Jess passed away in 1995, Susan moved back to Yuma to be with her daughters. A special person, Bill Hewett, became an important part of our mother's life during the next several years before his passing.

Susan is survived by her daughters, Suzi Watts Milburn (Wayne) and Shari Watts Leeper (Dick, dec.) and five (5) grandchildren, Kim Johnson (David), Kristi DeMarco (Robert), Michael Brown (Jessica), Darci Barton (Charles), Joely Beck (Gabe) and 16 precious great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Gammie Sue showed a tremendous amount of pride and love for her daughters and their families. Her wisdom, encouragement and compassion are "gifts of love" that will be kept in our hearts forever!

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception immediately following at First Presbyterian Church. Her final resting place will be at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Yuma or to a .

A special thanks to 'Hospice of Yuma' for their compassion and commitment of care and to Karen Jarvis, from Home Instead, our deepest gratitude for all her love and care given to our dear mother. Finally, a special thanks to Bill Thalman, mom's long time companion for his support and love.

Arrangements under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Yuma, AZ.