Betty Mae Slay

Betty Mae Slay, 72, of Palo Pinto, Texas, died Wednesday, December 14, 2011. Betty was born in Iowa City, Iowa on May 10, 1939, to Samuel and Helen Berger, and graduated in 1958 from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington. Betty enlisted in the United States Women's Army Corps in 1959 and served four years as a Medical Specialist before her honorable discharge as a Specialist Five (E-5) in 1963. During that period, she met her husband and life-long love, John Kennedy Slay, while both were stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco, California. Betty and John were married March 2, 1963 and together, raised four children. While the children were growing up, Betty worked to create a loving home wherever John's Army and civilian careers took the family. After the children were grown, she remained a supportive, loving mother and grandmother, as well as a very active and vital member of her community.Betty was received into the Catholic faith while stationed at Fort Ritchie, Maryland in February, 1960. Betty's faith was important to her, and she lived her life exemplifying the positive impact one person can have on the lives of others through her daily acts of love, compassion, and kindness. She was dearly loved by her family, friends, church, and community, and was known for always putting others before herself. She served joyfully as a volunteer at her church, Our Lady of Lourdes in Mineral Wells, Texas, the Palo Pinto County Historical Association, and the Palo Pinto Elementary School. She will be missed by everyone touched by her life, but the legacy of love she leaves behind will continue to inspire her family and friends.Betty is survived by her son John Jr., his wife Shyla, and their children Jack and Caroline of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; her daughter Lottie Slay of Addison, Texas; her son Robert, his wife Dana, and their children, Colton Saunders and Shanton Slay of Palo Pinto, Texas; her son James and his wife Lisa of Fort Worth, Texas; her brothers John Berger of Fort Mojave, Arizona, Bill Berger of Tacoma, Washington, Sam Berger of Milton, Washington; and her sisters, Mary Lord of Kalama, Washington, Rosemary Berger of Oakland, California and Helen Berger of Tacoma, Washington. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.A Rosary service will be held Tuesday, December 20, 2011 from 6-8 pm in the funeral home chapel, and the Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 10 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial will take place in McAdams Cemetery, Palo Pinto County, Texas.Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Mineral Wells, Texas, or the Palo Pinto County Historical Association, Palo Pinto, Texas.