Mrs. Mary Bessie Jones Slater was born on Thursday, February 15, 1923 in Thomasville, Georgia to the late Leola Jones and James Woods, Jr. She was the second of six children born. Mary was educated in the Thomas County public school system. She attended Glasgow AME Church in Boston, Georgia. After the death of her mother on October 1, 1941 she helped raise her younger siblings, Henry, Alese, and Lawrence along with taking care of their grandfather, Charlie Jones, Sr. In 1942 after the death of their grandfather, Mary and her siblings relocated to Florida with the help of an older cousin, Gillis Jones and moved with their aunt Corine Jones Ellis.

On March 27, 1954, Mary was united in holy matrimony to the late Rev. George Henry Slater, Jr. and the family relocated to the area of Magnolia Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida where they became well known residents. Mary spent most of her time in the church devoting much of her time being a faithful child of God. She enjoyed helping others in the community and sharing the word of God with everyone, and she was affectionately known to many as Missionary Loyal Lady Mary Slater. She was a praying woman who truly had an affectionate love for GOD. Mary was a proud member of The Order of the Eastern Star PHA Starlight Chapter no. 199, and on January 19, 1976 she became a Loyal Lady of The Fred Alexander Grand State Assembly Order of the Golden Circle G.T. McCall Assembly no. 22 valley of Jacksonville, where she served faithfully for many years as Loyal Lady Priestess and later becoming a HPSGLLR for the state of Florida. Mary truly exemplified the motto of the order "Peace and Unity". She was a beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Great-Great-Grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and foster mother to many.

On Saturday night, December 12, 2015 Loyal Lady Mary Bessie Jones Slater was called on by The Most High to refreshment in paradise. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. George Henry Slater, Jr.; sons, Amos Floyd Jones, and John Thomas, Jr.; daughters, Louise Thomas Wilson, and Cynthia Slater Green; grandson, Toney Wilson.

Mary leaves to cherish her memories, her grandchildren: Carol Wilson Woods (Dwayne), Kathy Wilson, Mike Powell, Anthony Hicks, Brenda Jones, Sharon Jones, Darrell Jones, Eric Jones, Daykesha Green, and David Green, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Bernard Middleton II (Jenarie), Adrian Middleton (Cassandra), Kay'Trina Dunbar, Darius Powell, Shannon Powell, Jay'Vares Wilson, Koonisha Green, and Kyra Powell; great-great-grandchildren, Janae Middleton, Angela Middleton, Leranne Middleton, Makiah Middleton, Brayelle Middleton, Devon Middleton, and Jenard "JBOY" Middleton; brother, Lawrence V. Jones (Hannah); sister-in-law, Barbara Slater of New York; nieces, Monica Jones Brown (Angelo), and State Representative Mia L. Jones (George); nephew, Lawrence Jones, Jr; a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Mary Slater passed away December 13th, 2015 . Arrangements in Care of: Funerals by T.S. Warden, 904-765-1234

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