Vernon Slate

Vernon Slate, age 85, of Coleman, left with his Savior Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at Holiday Hill Nursing Home. His daughter, son, and daughter-in-law were with him as he transitioned into his glorious new home. Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 26, in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Daniel Stovall officiating. Rev Ed Smith will also share comforting words. Burial will follow in the Coleman Cemetery under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.

Vernon was born Orville Vernon Slate on June 22, 1931 in Gouldbusk, Texas, a son of Orville Slate and Dora Boatright Slate. He grew up in Gouldbusk, attended school there, and graduated from Mozelle High School in 1948. Vernon served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict in the First Calvary Division, Eighth Engineering Combat Battalion, and was stationed in Japan from December 28, 1952 until May 15, 1954. He married the love of his life Mary Ellen Connor on June 7, 1956, at the Seventh Street Baptist Church in Ballinger, with Rev. E. V. Brooks performing the ceremony. Vernon was the Past Worshipful Master of the Gouldbusk Masonic Lodge #125, from June 1957 through June 1958 and a member there until joining the Coleman Masonic Lodge #496.

Vernon was a long-time member and deacon of the Gouldbusk Congregational Methodist Church, where he led singing for several years, and was a Sunday School teacher there. He served as Coleman County Commissioner Precinct 3 for twelve years and was also a farmer and rancher in addition to operating heavy equipment as a finish blade operator. Vernon and Mary moved to Coleman from Gouldbusk in 2000 and became members of Fellowship Baptist Church. Mary preceded him in death on October 25, 2009. He later attended Concho Baptist Church and was also a member of the Men’s Downtown Sunday School Class. He enjoyed drinking coffee with the Tyson Pharmacy Coffee Group.

Survivors include one daughter, Tressia Sturges of Coleman; one son and daughter-in-law, Vernon and Rhonda Slate of Bangs; three grandchildren, Zachary Slate of Brownwood, Tyson Slate of Fort Worth and Tulissia “Fanci” Sturges of Coleman; a sister, Eva Jean Gunn of Pittsburg, Texas; nieces and nephews, Wayne Burnett, Linda Garrett, Geoffrey Connor, Jacqueline Meine, Jill Whetstone, Ron Connor, John Connor; brothers-in-law, Michael Connor of Winters and John Connor of Ballinger.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by both parents, a brother, Horace Slate; a nephew, Joe Slate, and a sister-in-law, Barbara Connor.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 25, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, Coleman, Texas.

Please leave condolences for the family at www.livingmemorials.com.