The Reverend Claudette Lorraine Slater was born January 17, 1950 in Saint Louis, Missouri to the union of Raymond Tyler II and Doris Johnson Tyler. She was the eldest of six children: Raymond III, Diane, Michael, Rosalind and Alex.
She attended Soldan High School and graduated in 1969. She went on to attend St. Louis Community College and graduated with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in 1972. Claudette graduated from the renowned Washington University School of Medicine with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy in 1974. After receiving her Call to Ministry, Claudette attended Golden Gate Seminary, and graduated with a Masters in Divinity.
Claudette cherished raising her children, which extended to her younger brother Alex. During her second marriage to retired Lt. Col. Rufus Slater, the family lived in St. Louis, MO, South Korea, and Virginia.
Christmas was Claudette’s favorite holiday and was always an exuberant experience which often involved traveling back home to St. Louis to visit family. She also enjoyed summer vacations, which involved traveling all over the United States from coast to coast. The family loved visiting theme parks, historical sites, and museums, as well as attending family reunions.
Claudette was a devout servant to God which was exemplified throughout her life. She accepted Christ as her personal savior and was baptized by Reverend B. S. Gregg at Parrish Temple C.M.E. Church (St. Louis, MO) at the age of twelve. As a youth she served as an usher, sang in the choir and attended annual youth and young adult leadership conferences.
During her young adult years Claudette continued her service in the church in many capacities. Her service to God had a profound impact on her children which lead each of them to accept Christ for themselves.
During her residency in Arizona, Claudette devotion to God intensified even more as she received God’s Call and pursued her Masters in Divinity. Under the leadership of Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., Claudette became ordained Minister at First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix, AZ. She cherished her service to God and served within many positions of leadership. Some included Superintendent of Sunday School, Director of Christian Education, Director of Short-Term Mission Team, Minister of Pastoral Visitation, and Director of the Wilma E. Rhaney-Rose Library Ministry.
She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Tyler II, first husband Willie Mosley, Brother Raymond Tyler III, beloved Aunt Cloytee Cox and Uncle Sylvester Johnson.
Claudette leaves a legacy of love and precious memories to her daughters, Dorlisa McCracken and Crystal Slater; son, Maj. Ivan Slater; son-in-law, Chris McCracken; grandchildren Keylaney, Jasaan, Aalayah, Lilliette, and Behati; brothers Michael (Linda) and Alex (Whitni); sisters, Diane and Rosalind; nieces and nephews: Tom, Andrea (Will), Rachel, Doris (Darius), Cory, Nicholas (Jennifer), Ryan, Angelo and Alexa; great nieces and nephews: Essence, Shahontae, Hailey, Aniyah, Jace, Rayne, Riley, Alex Jr., and Avery; Aunts: Lucille Johnson White, Lula Mae Franklin, Marie Franklin; and Uncle J.R. Franklin III; cousins: Pat, Lindsey, Jacqueline, Camille, Randall (Penny), Ryan, Remington, Harriet, Tracy, Major, and a host of relatives and friends.
God called his faithful servant home, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Claudette’s love and devotion to God, her family, the Church and community will be remembered by us all. We know she will serve on in Heaven.
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