of Marshall, AR
February 16, 1932 - September 8, 2023
Mary Jo Slay, age 91, of Marshall, Arkansas passed from this earthly life on Friday, September 8th, 2023 at Countryside Nursing Home in Jasper, Arkansas. She was born in Pindall, Arkansas on February 16th, 1932 to Emmet Elijah Martin and Bessie Victoria McDougal Martin. She married Ben Charles Slay on August 27th, 1949. To this union five children were born: Rick, Mike, Bruce, Sandy and Susan.
Mary Jo loved her family and friends. She especially loved her grandchildren. She was known as "Granny Jo" to all of her grandkids and to all of her friends as well. Mary Jo loved to bake and was famous for her apple pies and Bacardi Rum cakes. She was sweet and sassy at the same time. Mary Jo worked at the St. Joe School Head Start Program for ten years or more and received a bachelor's degree in early childhood development from ASU in Jonesboro. She retired from the Searcy County Sheriff and Collectors Office where she worked for sixteen years. She was very loved by all her grandchildren, nieces and nephews, as well as all her former students at St. Joe School. To this day, they ask about her and remember her fondly. Mary Jo was dearly loved by her friends and community, they will always remember her beauty, kindness and friendship.
Survivors include her children, Mike Slay and wife, Pam of Valley Springs, Bruce Slay and wife, Sharon of Marshall, Sandy Horton of Braselton, Georgia and Susan Halsted and husband, Steve of Marshall; daughter-in-law, Cindy Slay of Marshall; grandchildren, Shane Slay, Samuel Slay (Mariah), Alexandria Gardner (Virgil), Micah Arington (Rachel), Shad Arington (Angela), Tara McKinney (Joe), Heather Ratchford (Derek), Latisha Chadwick (Tyler), Keely Petty (Blake), Caisha Howell (Dustyn), Joel Slay (Katie), Katie Olasz (Andrew), Kasie Brenson (Ray), Josh Halsted (Jennifer), Ashley Halsted and Hannah Humbard (Garrett); fifty great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.
Mary Jo is preceded in death by her parents, Emmet and Bessie Martin; her husband, Ben Charles Slay; her son, Ricky Charles Slay; grandsons, Michael Lee Slay and Aryan Slay; sisters, Elsie Trublood (Jim), Hazel Taylor (Gerald), Lee Harris, Lorraine Saling, Helen Gooch (Bill), Rue Taylor (Junior) and Betty Gibson (Fayne); brother, Hugh John Martin and son-in-law, Cam Horton.
A private family gathering will be held in honor of Mary Jo at a later date.
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30 Condolence(s)
Nancy Nancy
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Mary always had a smile and a kind word to share. She will be missed by all that had the privilege of knowing her. We had a lot of fun times camping on the Buffalo River with our families back in the day. Peace and comfort be with the family during this sad time.
Sonya Parks
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort.
Diane Butler
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Prayers for the families. So sorry Susan. God bless and comfort you all.
Jimmy and Beverly Horton
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
Ken davis
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Loved her dearly Prayer's for the family always remember her and Donnie huddled up talking the were good friends talking about ol times and cal. Miss her
Anna Maze
Monday, September 11, 2023
I am sorry to hear about Mary Jo’s passing. I worked with her for several years in the tax collectors office. She always had the fun sassy attitude that made your day interesting. My sympathy and prayers to all your families.
Glenda Griffith
Monday, September 11, 2023
Sharon and family, I am so sorry. She was a nice lady. Prayers for all the familyðŸ™ðŸ»
Jimmie (Trublood) Hernandez
Sunday, September 10, 2023
So sorry to hear about Aunt Jody. I have many good memories and praying for peace for all.
Doug Kinney
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Our deepest condolences Sandy to you and your family.
God Bless.
James and Vickie Fountain
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Susan and Family, our prayer is that the Lord will comfort you through this time of sadness.
Holly Kemp
Sunday, September 10, 2023
You've always been a heck of a lady. You will be missed. Everyone who met you loved you.
Julie Netland
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Praying for peace and comfort for the family. She is one of the first that I met in Arkansas such friendly and kind hearted person
Eddie &Pam Cannada
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Our deepest sympathy to all the family. Mary Jo was a special lady. Prayers for you all.
Mary Ann & Eddie Yancey
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Mary Jo was a beautiful woman and we always enjoyed visiting with her. She will be missed.
James Bodas-Turner
Saturday, September 9, 2023
So very sorry for the loss. Aunt Jodi was a hoot to be around, especially at reunion time. Our thoughts and prayers to all of the family.
Claudia Hastings
Saturday, September 9, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family at this sad time.
Jim Arnold
Saturday, September 9, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of Mary Jo’s passing. She was a wonderful lady. I enjoyed working with Mary Jo many years in the courthouse. She did an outstanding job at the collectors office for many years. She will be missed! Prayers for the family!
John adams
Saturday, September 9, 2023
I’m so sorry to hear of Mary Jo passing I have great memories of growing up with all of you. Prayers for you all
Shirley J. Gray
Friday, September 8, 2023
My thoughts and prayers goes to all the family. Mary Jo was a very special lady!
Mike and Roberta Pack
Friday, September 8, 2023
Sorry to hear about Mary Jo’s passing. Condolences to all of the family.
Barbara Smith
Friday, September 8, 2023
Mary jo was such a sweet lady. She always had a smile for anyone she met. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. God Bless you all.
Robert (Donny) Ferguson
Friday, September 8, 2023
So very sorry for your loss.
Teresa Wienert (Martin)
Friday, September 8, 2023
So sorry to hear of your loss. Ms. Slay was my head start teacher for 4 years. I thought a lot of her. Now we have her Granddaughter in the family, ( Keely Pettey). My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Joyce Ham
Friday, September 8, 2023
Dear Slay Family, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. She was a beautiful lady inside and outside and will be greatly missed.
Dewayne and Tonya Keisler
Friday, September 8, 2023
Sorry for your family loss
God bless you all
Jacqueline and Don (Kope) Koppenhaver
Friday, September 8, 2023
We so sorry to hear this. Mary Jo was a wonderful lady she will be missed by many. Prayers for the family
Toby Long
Friday, September 8, 2023
So sorry to hear of your loss! Ms Mary Jo and myself got to know each other when she work for the Sheriff’s Office. Praying for the families
George Sutterfield
Friday, September 8, 2023
Susan and all the rest of the family, I am so sorry to hear of Mary Jo's passing. Mary Jo was a GREAT LADY. She worked long and hard in the Searcy County Sheriff and Collectors Office for so many years and always had a positive greeting and a smile for everyone she met. Rest in peace.
Lisa Jones Stewart
Friday, September 8, 2023
Alex, Sam,Cindy and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I never met Mary Jo but I know she meant the world to you. Love and Prayers.
Wesley and Loretta Smith
Friday, September 8, 2023
Kids and grandkids, I am so sorry to hear this. I thought the world of Mary Jo. We had a lot of good laughs and lots of fun while we were working across the hall from each other in the courthouse. She was a beautiful lady inside and out.