Obituaries

The Life and Legacy of Ms. Irene Marie Carroll Slaughter

Irene Marie Carroll Slaughter, age 88, passed on Friday, July 31, 2020 at Freestone Medical Center in Fairfield, Texas.

Irene was the 5^th child of 9 children born to the late Green and Callie Stratford Carroll in Freestone County, Texas.  She received her early education in the public schools of Freestone County, graduating from Dogan High School in May 1948.  It was during those years that she became a member of New Zion Baptist Church where attendance was mandatory by her parents.  Farming and ranching were the major sources of income during her youthful years, therefore she spent lots of time picking and chopping cotton to supplement the family income and further her education.

In 1948, Irene embarked upon her college career. She became a student at Tillotson College, currently known as Huston-Tillotson University, where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics and and minored in Science.  Irene married , Nelson Slaughter, Jr. in 1952 and had 6 children:, Jacqueline Marie, Nelson Walter III, Michael Wayne, Bobby Green and , Robbie Irene (twins), and Anthony Ray.

Irene returned to Fairfield to begin her teaching career from 1955-1957, teaching the 3^rd grade at Dogan High School, from which she graduated in 1948. Being a military wife, she joined her husband Nelson, in Nashville, Tennessee and taught two years at Nashville Christian Institute.  In 1961, Irene and her 6 children returned to Freestone County and settled in , Wortham, Texas, where she taught five years 1961- 1966 at F. W. Wheeler High School as a Home Economics teacher.  During this 5 -year period, Irene commuted and attended Prairie View University and received her Master of Arts Degree in Special Education and a minor in Home Economics.

Prior to the 1966-1967 school year, Irene moved to Fairfield and taught again at Dogan as a 7^th grade teacher and with the consolidation of schools, Irene continued to teach Special Education in the Fairfield Independent School District, until Saturday, May 31, 1997.

Irene’s hobbies included traveling, shopping, watching sports, taking pictures, scrap booking, reading, attending Church and Church functions, attending community and school functions and meeting and talking with people.  She continued to be very active in the Fairfield community by attending as many functions as possible until her body would no longer allow (December 18, 2019).

Irene was very active in the lives of her Children, grandchildren and Great great Grand children.Until her health failed her, you would find her attending all of her family’s activities.

Irene was a member of New Zion Baptist Church in the Post Oak community where she sang in the choir, a member of the Freestone County Federated choirs, served as the announcement clerk, served with the mission and Sunday School Fellowship.  She was named and inducted into the Fairfield ISD Teacher Hall of Fame, a member of the Jones Chapel United Methodist Women’s society, Ike Carden Rodeo Association, VFW, Red Hat Society, Eastern Stars, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Historian Committee, Veterans Affairs,  Life Time member of the NAACP, 4- H,  Retired Teachers Association all of Fairfield (Freestone County), Texas.  Irene loved attending Fairfield ISD School functions and prided herself in getting “right down front or sitting on the 50-yard line” at all Schools awards days, graduations, football and basketball games, etc.  In her travel visits away from home, Irene would remain active by participating with service organizations in Bryan, Texas.  She was inducted into the Bryan Bethune Women’s Organization as an honorary member in recognition.

Irene met no strangers and she loved talking, visiting, and sharing her story’s that always included pictures about her family, travel and all the events of her life.   

Irene was preceded in death by parents, Green and Callie Stratford Carroll; daughter, Robbie Irene Slaughter Blacknall; grandson, Christopher Robin Blacknall; sister, Lurline Sweeney; brothers, Hillmon, Hoover, Billie, and William Carroll.

She leaves to forever cherish her precious memories a daughter, Jacqueline Marie Sedberrry and husband Marvin of Bryan, Texas; four sons, Nelson Walter Slaughter, III and wife  (Etta) of Dallas, Texas; Michael Wayne Slaughter of Fairfield, Texas;Bobby Green Slaughter and wife (Cathy) of Lewisville, Texas; and Anthony Ray Slaughter and wife (Carla) of Winnsboro, Texas, She was a grandmother to thirty-four (34) grandchildren, and she was Granndy Grand to her 43 forty-three Great great grand children; two sisters, Emma Finnen and Betty Brown (Sullivan) of Maryland; one brother, Green Carroll of Longview, Texas; a caregiving niece, Cecelia Sweeny, of Fairfield; and Family family son/friend, Kevin Benedict both of Fairfield Texas; all over the United States, Irene leaves MANY special people  to including nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends including her “Gal” and “the Girls”.

Visitation and funeral services will be held Saturday at the Fairfield High School auditorium.  Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service.  Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Interment will be immediately after services at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery