Ruth Slate

Mrs. Ruth Starnes Slate, age 86, of Honaker, Virginia, passed away Tuesday (May 5, 2015) in Abingdon, Virginia. Born February 25, 1929 in Honaker, Virginia, she was a daughter of the late John and Eva Miller Starnes. A lifelong resident of the area, she was a 1946 graduate of Honaker High School and had attended Cosmetology School in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was a member of the Honaker United Methodist Church for sixty-six years, where she was a member of the choir, helped with Sunday school, a member of United Methodist Women, and had served on many committees. She was an entrepreneur with many talents, having owned and operated, Ruth’s Beauty Shop, Ruth’s Cloth Shop, and Mammaw’s Place. She was a member of the Lion’s Club, HHS Band Boosters, and an avid Honaker High School sports fan, especially basketball. She had many hobbies, including sewing, crocheting baby blankets and afghans, and cooking. One of her greatest enjoyments, much to the delight of the recipients, was feeding others. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-seven years, Lawrence Slate, one son, Keith Aaron Slate, one grandson, Jason Aaron Slate, two brothers, Russell Starnes and Kenneth Starnes, and two sisters, Marie Steele and Helen Bartee. Survivors include one daughter, Vanessa Martin and husband, Gary of Honaker; one son, Brack Slate and wife, Rosemary of Glade Spring, Virginia; one sister, Eula Smith of Abingdon, Virginia; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Slate of Onancock, Virginia; eight grandchildren, Samantha Slate, Kellye Slate and husband, Kevin Kirkpatrick, Jarrod Slate and wife, Sonia, Jonah Slate and wife, Donna, Lawren Bryce Slate, Chance Dye, Evan Dye, and Andrew Dye; three step-grandchildren, Gregory Lee, Michael Lee, and Stephen Martin; five great-grandchildren, Ellie Slate, Keegan Slate Kirkpatrick, Grant Slate, McKenzie Slate, and Noah Slate; four step-great-grandchildren, Kendra, Lindy, Natalia, and Paula; two sisters-in-law, Reba Starnes and Ruth 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, Rev. Ralph Kidd, and Bro. Bob Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in the Slate Family Cemetery near the home in Honaker, Virginia. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men of the Honaker United Methodist. Memorial contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to Honaker United Methodist Church; P.O. Box 508, Honaker, Virginia 24260. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6:00 PM Friday. Online condolences may be made at www.honakerfuneralhome.net.