Vernell Slaughter

Helen Vernell Slaughter, 88, of Menard Texas, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Heritage Funeral Home in Menard, Texas with Minister Mark Blau officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in the Ft. McKavett cemetery, Ft. McKavett, Texas. Vernell was born on November 26, 1934, in Menard, Texas to David and Leona (Low) Sides. She married Dale Vanoy Slaughter on January 22, 1956, in the First Methodist Church of Menard. She was most recently retired from Higgenbotham Brothers Lumber & Hardware Store in Menard, being recognized as the oldest employee in all of their chain of stores. She started her journey as an employee for the Menard Lumber Yard under the ownership of friends Ray and Janet Rabun and stayed as the business transitioned to the new owners Carol and Tanner Mahon, also quickly considered as her dear friends. Upon their retirement she stayed as ownership passed to the present owner Higgenbotham Brothers. During her time working for Bruce Hough at Higgenbotham she was devoted to helping coach him and her friends and fellow coworkers on the finer points of sales and customer service. Prior to that time, Vernell was one of the first groups of people hired when Texas brought "teachers' aides" into the public system. She enjoyed the work that she did there for many years. To the very end she would recall the kids that she helped at school with great fondness. Following that time, she took over Dale's job in the oil field after his untimely passing. She did that for some time before going back to work "in town" at the local lumber yard. From her high school time through her later years, Vernell was involved with the Methodist Church. She served gladly for many years playing piano and organ, as Sunday School Director, as Vacation Bible School coordinator, and in just about any other role that needed filling. In her spare time, she taught piano lessons and had a custom cake decorating business. She also worked at the Slaughter and Slaughter Grocery Store and custom meat processing facility with her husband and in-laws, and in their deer processing facility when the grocery store closed. Vernell was dearly loved and her advice (whether asked for or not) will be missed by most, as will her unconditional love and support for all in her family circle and beyond. As Shakespeare wrote, "And though she be but little, she is fierce"! She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dale, and brothers Sammie and David Allen. Survivors include one daughter, Martha Helen Crump and husband E.C. of Bluegrove, Texas, one grandson Zachary Dale Crump and wife Ashley and three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Keilee, and Saylah, all of Bluegrove, Texas; one sister, Brenda Sides of San Angelo, Texas, one nephew Jessie Sides and wife Emily and their children Witten, Arri, and Josie of Abilene, Texas; one sister-in-law Connie Sides of Houston, Texas, niece Sherrey Sides of San Angelo, Texas, and nephew Lance Sides and wife Kristi of Houston, Texas and their children Megan and Jordan Sides. Vernell adopted many into her "tribe" of people and considered them family. She truly felt that Madolyn Nasworthy and Shawna Hampton were her other daughters and loved them beyond words. She adored time spent with her caregiver and friend Anna Hernandez and loved her like family as well. There are truly too many to list. A very informal visitation will be held after the service at Vernell's house. Please feel free to come out after work or as you can and visit with us all. 4pm -till we're all caught up! Vernell missed a lot of news in the last few years! Memorials may be made to Menard Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 141, Menard, TX. 76859, Ft. McKavett Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 91, Ft. McKavett, Texas 76841, or Bluegrove Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 214, Bluegrove, Texas 76352-0214.

Vernell Slaughter

November 26, 1934 - October 17, 2023