Obituary of Sophia J. Slayton

Sophia J. Slayton, 96, of 124 Hotchkiss St., Jamestown, died Monday, July 11, 2011 in Salisbury MD where she had resided with her daughter for several years. She was born in the town of French Creek, NY on January 25, 1915, a daughter of the late Benjamin and Hattie TeWinkle Warnshuis. A graduate of Clymer High School in 1932 and the Sherman Training School in 1933, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse for two years. Sophia later attended Jamestown Business College and worked in the law offices of Gerald A. Herrick and Warren Johnson. She retired in 1983 from Marine Midland Bank having worked in the Bookkeeping and Trust Departments. Following retirement, she was a volunteer at WCA Hospital. Sophia was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Jamestown where she served on the Diaconate. Surviving are a son, Lee (Linda) Slayton of Greenfield, IN; two daughters, Marjorie (Craig) Taylor of Sarasota, FL and Mary (Brian) Lundberg of Salisbury, MD; and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence A. Slayton, whom she married November 21, 1940 and who died December 20, 1976; two brothers, William and James Warnshuis; and three sisters, Adaline Warnshuis, Margaret Young and Caroline Warnshuis. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Michael Childs will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and for one hour prior to the service in the funeral home Saturday. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 358 E. Fifth St., Jamestown, NY 14701; or a charity of choice.