Rita M. Slaughter

Rita M. Slaughter, 69, of High Springs, Fla., went to be with our Lord and Savior Feb. 24, 2013.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, Feb. 12, 2013.  She is survived by her two loving sons, Dr. Martin Slaughter of Starke and Steven (Dana) Slaughter of Seattle, Wash.; two grandchildren, Jillian (Jared) Smith,  Richard (Angela); and five great-grandchildren ,Abegail, Annahlee, Logan, Liberty, and Zoey all of Texas.

Mrs. Slaughter was born on May 21, 1943 in Mansfield, Ohio to Thomas and Mary Carpenter.  She married the love of her life, Richard “Sarge” Slaughter in 1962.  One of four children, she is survived by her brother, Roger T. F. Carpenter and sisters, Pauline Carpenter and Eileen Sapp. 

Her strength, resolve and outstanding devotion to her husband and children guided her through the hardship and loneliness of numerous separations from her husband due to his military duties.  She braved many unknowns and countless heartache.  Her devotion to her husband and children reflects great credit upon herself and the institution of marriage and motherhood.  She was profoundly admired and truly loved by her husband and her children.

After retiring from the University of Florida, she and her husband ran a small cattle ranch in High Springs.  She had a large circle of friends that loved her dearly and will miss her laughter, humor and kindness. 

A memorial will be held Feb. 26, 2013 at Evans-Carter Funeral Home in High Springs, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Services will be held Friday, March 1, 2013, 2 p.m. at the Forest Grove Baptist Church on NW 94^th Street.  Interment will follow at Forest Meadows Cemetery on S.R. 241.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL 33607 or to The Florida Masonic Home at The Masonic Home of Florida, 3201 1^st NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33704

Arrangements are under the care of Evans-Carter Funeral Home, 220 N. Main Street, High Springs, FL 32643.