Lawrence Slate

Mr. Lawrence Edward Slate, age 87, of Honaker, Virginia, passed away Tuesday (November 11, 2014) in Johnston Memorial Hospital at Abingdon, Virginia. Born May 9, 1927 in Drill, Virginia, he was a lifelong resident of the Honaker area and a 1945 graduate of Honaker High School. He was a United States Navy veteran having served during World War II. He was owner and operator of the Ben Franklin in Honaker and Slate’s Farm Campground. He had been employed at the Honaker Funeral Home since the late eighties, serving in many capacities; most recently as the door greeter, where everyone received a warm welcome and hug. He was a member of the Honaker United Methodist Church for sixty-six years, where he had been a Sunday School teacher, member of the Choir, and always made sure everyone had a ride. He was a Charter member of the Honaker Lion’s Club, Volunteer Fire Department and a founding member of New Garden Rescue Squad. He was preceded in death by parents, William McFarlane and Sophia Monk Slate, and P.D. “Pa” and Myrtie “Ma” Hubbard Slate, one son, Keith Aaron Slate, one grandson, Jason Aaron Slate, siblings, Ralph, Carl, “Big” Brack, and Herbert Slate, Madge Carney, Gladys Buckles, Gaynell Fields, and a very special brother, Bob Bennett. In his generation, he was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Survivors include his wife of sixty-seven years, Ruth Starnes Slate of the home; one daughter, Vanessa Martin and husband, Gary of Honaker; one son, Brack Slate and wife, Rosemary of Glade Spring, Virginia; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Slate of Onancock, Virginia; eight grandchildren, Samantha Slate, Kellye Slate-Kirkpatrick and husband, Kevin, Jarrod Slate and wife, Sonia, Jonah Slate and wife, Donna, Lawren Bryce Slate, Chance Dye, Chase Evan Dye, and Andrew Dye; step-grandchildren, Gregory Lee, Michael Lee, and Stephen Martin; great-grandchildren, Ellie Slate, Keegan Slate-Kirkpatrick, Grant Slate, McKenzie Slate, and Noah Slate; step-great-grandchildren, Kendra, Natalia, Paula, and Lindy; sisters-in-law, Rheba Starnes, Eula Smith, and Ruth McGlothlin Slate; several nieces, nephews, and many friends also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, Virginia with Rev. Aaron Atchley officiating. Interment will follow in the Slate Family Cemetery at the home. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Honaker Lion’s Club, Men of Honaker United Methodist Church, and Dr. Ellison Conrad. The family will receive friends after 5:00 PM Friday at the Honaker Funeral Home, Honaker, Virginia. Online condolences may be made at www.honakerfuneralhome.net.