Matriarch
.JPG/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0.08%25,w:99.85%25,h:100%25/rs=w:664,h:664,cg:true)
OUr Matriarch
Mrs. Olivia Mae Kelley Slaughter
1923-1991
“
Love is forever.”
“In one sense, there is no death. The life of a soul on earth lasts beyond her departure. You will always feel that life touching yours, that vice speaking to you, that spirit looking out of other eyes, talking to you in the familiar things she touched, worked with, and loved as familiar friends. She lives on in your life and in the lives of all others that know her.” Angelo Patri
Mrs. Olivia M. Kelley Slaughter was one of seven children born to Iona Evans and George Asbury Kelley. She was born October 9, 1923, in Hattiesburg and reared in Tougaloo.
She joined Central United Methodist Church as a child and later joined Lynch Chapel United Methodist Church, where she served as Sunday School Superintendent for nine years. She also served as a member of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. She chose the basic principle from the Bible for her life-“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
She attended Daniel Hand School, Tougaloo High School, and Tougaloo College. She sincerely appreciated the Tougaloo College family and worked to establish Tougaloo College alum supporter efforts across the state and nation. She was a life member of the Tougaloo College National Alumni Association and Vice President of the East Central Mississippi Tougaloo Alumni Club.
Her husband, the late W.L. Slaughter, an educator, and Forest Alderman, preceded her in death. With the assistance of their six daughters (Cheryl, Constance, Charlotte, Cynthia, Clarice, and Carolyn), known as the “Six Cees,” she formed the W.L. Slaughter Memorial Founded, serving as president until her death.
She and her husband established Six Cees Superette and Six Cees General Store and worked together as managers until his death. In addition to her role as mother and wife, she served as a substitute teacher at Hawkings High School and North Scott Attendance Center.
A global woman, she was a faithful inspiration to generations of black and white children in Forest and her immediate community.
She was a lover of the arts and letters. She composed many poems and wrote five plays, two presented by the Forest Inspirational Choir and W.L. Slaughter Library patrons. She was a member of the Mississippi Historical Society and the Forest Library Advisory Board.
She was a correspondent for the Scott County Times. A staunch supporter of education, she tutored students for many years at the W.L. Slaughter Memorial Library, which she founded. Each year, the Foundation presents the W.L. Slaughter Award to an outstanding graduating senior at Forest High School.
Her many honors included: winner of the Smith-Robinson Museum Exhibit, Citizen of the Year by WOKJ, Middle Girl Scout Council Volunteer Award recipient, Citizen of the Year and Grand Marshal for Forest Christmas Parade, Governor’s Office of Voluntary Citizen Participation Award, and “Because You Care” Award presented by the W.L. Slaughter Memorial Foundation. She was a life member of the NAACP, Boy Scouts of America, and Girl Scouts. She also sponsored Scouting Troops (Girls 155 and 248) and (Boys 263).