Person Page

     Joanne Slade was born on April 11, 1938 in Waycross, Ware County, Georgia.¹ She was the daughter of Thomas Howell Slade and Flora Belle Jackson.
     Joanne married John Charles Sawyer in Starke, Bradford County, Florida.¹ Joanne Slade (an unknown value.)² Joanne died on April 23, 2013 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, at age 75.³ Her obituary read as follows:

      SAWYER Joanne Slade Sawyer, 75, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, April 23, 2013. She was born on April 10, 1938 to Flora and Tom Slade and soon moved to Starke, Florida, where she graduated from Bradford County High School. She met her husband, Charlie, while attending Emory University. They married and settled in Jacksonville, Florida, where they raised three, well-loved children together. Throughout her life, Joanne was a great believer in community trusteeship and was both very active and very successful in her choices of where to serve. She was a natural leader, consensus builder, and highly organized. Her accomplishments are extensive. Over the years she served as Leadership Jacksonville President, was a PTA President, President of an award winning Junior Women's Club, President of the Women's Society of Christian Service, and was awarded a lifetime membership for her service. She was President of the Women's Guild of the Children's Museum, which included oversight of the Nutcracker Ballet and the annual Haunted House. She was Chair of the Bolles School Jubilee Auction, was a Scout leader and a Sunday school teacher. Joanne served on the Methodist Hospital Board of Directors, served on the United Way Board on the analysis and distribution side, served on the Urban League Board, was Secretary of the Jacksonville Chamber's Community Affairs Board, served on the Deerwood Country Club Board and was originator and editor of Table Treasures, a cookbook marketing tool for the National Propane Gas Association. She was the originator and author of a drug education and testing program for private sector employees, which became the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce's highly successful Put Drugs Out of Business program, which trained some 350,000 employees in northeast Florida. For this program, Joanne was honored to receive the Citizen of the Year Award from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Joanne believed life was an amazing journey and participated passionately in everything that held interest. As a high school student, she lived and worked with missionaries in pre-Castro Cuba, was the sweetheart of Sigma Chi fraternity at Emory (where she lured Charles) and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She was a competitive tennis player with the Deerwood City Championship teams, loved books, learning, and was a wicked bridge player. Her favorite City was London, her favorite island was Green Turtle Cay, and she believed the Napa Valley, the place and the people, to be among the loveliest places on earth. She was an accomplished cook who enjoyed entertaining, and guests could always count on good food, lively conversation, and great wine. She was an involved and tenacious mother, loving grandmother, devoted daughter and wife. She was a loving and loyal friend who never betrayed a confidence. She was blessed to have many life-long friends, who together raised their children, buried their dead, and shared their joys and sorrows alike. Hers was a life well lived. Joanne is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Charles, her three children, Suzanne and her husband Craig, Charlene and her husband Dean, her son John, and her very special girl, granddaughter Bailey, her sister Susan and her husband John, her brother Tom, her sister Flo (predeceased) and her husband Mike (predeceased) and seven nieces and nephews and their precious families, whom she enjoyed so much, and many very special friends. Memorial services will be held at eleven o'clock in the morning on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 7500 Southside Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 with Reverend Mal Jopling officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Episcopal Church of the Redeeemer or Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Department of Development, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32224. HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Boulevard is serving the family. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com
Published in the Florida Times-Union on April 24, 2013.³

     Needham King Hurst was born on August 19, 1906 in Georgia.² He was the son of Needham Washington Hurst and Ethelia King.²
     Needham married Martha Annette Slade, daughter of William Samuel Slade and Matti Lou Howell, on April 30, 1930 in Phenix City, Russell County, Alabama.³ Needham King Hurst and Martha Annette Slade were living in April, 1942 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.⁴ Needham died in 1967.⁵ He was buried in Washington Park North Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.⁵

     Clyde Whitefield Sinclair was born on September 27, 1909 in North Carolina.²
     Clyde married Mamie Evelyn Slade, daughter of William Samuel Slade and Matti Lou Howell, on September 6, 1936 in Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia.³ Clyde died in April, 1959 at age 49.^4,5 He was buried in Douglas, Coffee County, Georgia.⁶

     Flora Belle Slade was born on September 24, 1942 in Waycross, Ware County, Georgia.² She was the daughter of Thomas Howell Slade and Flora Belle Jackson.
     Flora married Michael William O'Brien in Thomasville, Thomas County, Georgia.² Flora died on June 6, 2010 in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida, at age 67.³

     Arthur Richard Slade was born circa 1864.¹
     Arthur married Mary Jane Helena Price on March 27, 1889 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, St John's the Evangelist.² Arthur died in 1890 in Capetown, South Africa.¹

     Mary Jane Helena Price was born in 1870.¹
     Mary married Arthur Richard Slade on March 27, 1889 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, St John's the Evangelist.¹

     Mary Esker Lewis was born in March, 1890 in Pates Crossroads, Geneva County, Alabama.² She was the daughter of William P. Lewis and Martha Tindell.²
     Mary married William Thomas Slade, son of Thomas Jefferson Slade and Nancy Mathis, on March 27, 1921 in Geneva County, Alabama.¹ Mary died on April 2, 1968 in Dothan, Houston County, Alabama, at age 78.³ She was buried in Hurricane United Methodist Church Cemetery, Hartford, Geneva County, Alabama.⁴

     Martha Jane Sellers was born on September 19, 1885 in Alabama both parents born Alabama.³
     Martha married William Thomas Slade, son of Thomas Jefferson Slade and Nancy Mathis, on October 15, 1905 in Slocomb, Geneva County, Alabama.⁴ Martha died on October 20, 1920 at age 35.^5,3 She was buried in Pleasant Hill Bapt Ch Cemetery, Slocomb, Geneva County, Alabama.⁶

     Margaret Ruth Holton was known as Maggie.² She was born in 1925.³
     Margaret married William Samiel Slade Jr., son of William Samuel Slade and Matti Lou Howell.⁴ Margaret died in February, 2000 in Orange Park, Clay County, Florida.⁵

     Thomas Howell Slade Jr. was born on March 13, 1936 in Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia.^1,2 He was the son of Thomas Howell Slade and Flora Belle Jackson.¹
     Thomas married first Judith Griggs in Starke, Bradford County, Florida.¹
     Thomas married second Corliss Marie Mullins¹, the daughter of Edith & Douglas E. Mullins.³
     Thomas married third Carole Ansley Watson.¹ Thomas died on October 20, 2014 in Orange Park, Florida, at age 78.² His obituary read as follows:

      Thomas Howell Slade Jr., 78, of Orange Park, Florida, formerly of Starke, Florida, died peacefully on Monday, October 20, 2014. He was born on March 13, 1936 in Baxley, Georgia to Tom and Flo Slade, and soon moved to Kingsley Lake, Florida. Tom was educated in the public schools in Starke, Florida. He attended college at Emory at Oxford for two years and graduated from Southern Tech, a specialty division of Georgia Tech, in 1957, where he served as President of the student body. From 1957 to 1970 he owned and operated several liquid propane gas companies in northeast Florida, and served as President of the Florida Liquid Propane Gas Association during those years. Tom and his sister Joanne, as high school students, lived and worked with missionaries in pre-Castro Cuba during their summer vacations. Tom often talked fondly about his Cuban experience. He grew up on beautiful Kingsley Lake where he loved the outdoor life, was an expert water skier, and loved the special people and lifestyle of the lake. Tom's love for boating continued throughout his entire life. Tom was blessed with many lifelong friends throughout Florida, and many friends around the nation and in the Bahamas where he dearly loved to sail. He is survived by his four children, Tom, Jack, Jeff, and Shad Slade, and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, one great grandchild, his sister Susan Slade Whelchel and her husband John, brother-in-law Charles Sawyer, and ten nieces and nephews and their precious families. Family members recently deceased are Tom's sisters, Joanne Sawyer, and Flora O'Brien and brother-in-law, Mike O'Brien. Tom began his career as a travel aide and licensed pilot for Florida House Speaker Doyle Connor's 1960 campaign for Commissioner of Agriculture. He credited this as sparking his interest in public service and won his first election to the State House of Representatives during the Kennedy midterms in 1962 as a Democrat. Of that term he said, the pressures of Democratic Party membership were such that to continue to be a member would not have permitted that independence of thought and action that I believe is so important to a public official. Joining the Republican Party, he won his election to the Senate in 1966, and subsequent campaigns in 1967 and 1968, and served as Republican Senate Minority Whip all four years of his term. In 1970, while campaigning for State Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner, Tom survived a plane crash with then-congressional candidate Bill Young, who was campaigning for the seat he held until his passing last year. God clearly had future plans for Tom Slade. After the 1970 elections, he worked hard and built a successful business over the next 15 years, but politics remained his true calling in life. In 1986, Tom managed the northeast Florida campaign efforts for Bob Martinez, who became the second Republican Governor elected to office in modern history. He continued that same leadership by running the Victory '88 northeast Florida operation for President George H. W. Bush, U.S. Senator Connie Mack and Florida Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner Tom Gallagher. In 1990, he worked on the re-election efforts for Governor Martinez, and served as an original member of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. In 1993 Tom Slade was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, he was firmly back in the arena, and he was a master of the game. He was an early adopter of campaign technologies that allowed for vigorous voter registration and targeting programs, putting the data in the hands of the candidates and campaigns, and was widely credited for Republican local, state and federal victories in the 1990's. A firm believer in a concise message based on sound public policy, exceptional candidate training, and raising record financial resources to wage strong campaigns, Tom led Florida Republicans to the takeover of the State Senate in 1994, the State House in 1996, and with the election of Governor Jeb Bush in 1998 along with a Republican Cabinet, completed his Chairmanship at the very pinnacle of Florida politics. Friend and foe alike referred to him as Boss Slade, a mark that perhaps had special meaning to those who loved him, who respected him, as well as to those who found themselves on the opposite side of a political battle. Following the successes of the 1998 elections, Tom offered his candidacy for Chairman of the Republican National Committee, and though his effort fell short, he was elected to serve as a member of the RNC as Florida's National Committeeman. Committed to moving his local party forward as well, Tom served as Chairman of the Duval County Republican Executive Committee until 2003. Founder and CEO of Tidewater Consulting in 1999, Tom's governmental relations and political consulting firm guided many in their initial election efforts, and some of those first-time candidates in 2000 are the leaders of Florida government today. Upon learning of his passing, elected officials at the highest levels and those who he mentored joined to pay tribute to Tom. He respected and befriended many across the political aisle over the decades, including members of the media. As one reporter noted in recent days, it 'was the beginning of a long appreciation for a man who told it straight and drank the same way. In the process, one always felt there was more of a friend at work here than an operative. That's quite a skill - and genuine.' His influence and mentorship inspired generations of leaders and pols, all of whom will keep his memory alive, regaled in the legendary stories told and retold in Tom's folksy Southern drawl and larger than life persona. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote 'Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.' Tom Slade blazed a trail that so many were fortunate to witness, so many honored to follow, and his life's work will benefit Florida for years to come. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at Orange Park United Methodist Church, 2051 Park Avenue (US Hwy 17), Orange Park, Florida, 32073. Reception to immediately follow at Club Continental, 2143 Astor Street, with Allison DeFoor officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.WoundedWarriorProject.org and the ASPCA at www.ASPCA.org. The family recognizes Tom would request all Republicans to return their absentee ballots, vote early, or make their plan to arrive promptly at the polls and cast their vote on November 4th. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com
Published in the Florida Times-Union on Oct. 25, 2014.²

     Corliss Marie Mullins was known as Corky.² She was born on October 23, 1946 in Richlands, Virginia.¹ She was the daughter of Edith & Douglas E. Mullins.³
     Corliss married Thomas Howell Slade Jr., son of Thomas Howell Slade and Flora Belle Jackson.²
     Corliss married John Michael Jeffries.¹ Corliss died on August 21, 2020 at age 73.¹ She was buried in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Florida.¹

     Shad Mullins Slade was born on July 30, 1974 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.¹ He was the son of Thomas Howell Slade Jr. and Corliss Marie Mullins.² Shad died on February 24, 2020 in White City, Florida, at age 45.¹ He was buried in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Florida.³ His obituary read as follows:

      SHAD MULLINS SLADE, 45, died unexpectedly February, 24, 2020 at his White City home. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida on July 30, 1974 and is survived by his son, Shad Mullins Slade II of Greenville, South Carolina; mother,

Corky Mullins Jeffries, grandmother, Edith Mullins, aunt, Sharman Mullins and cousin, Douglas "Dak" Knoll, all of Fort Pierce, Florida. He was predeceased by his father, Thomas H. Slade, Jr., stepfather, Michael Jeffries, grandfather, Douglas E. Mullins, and uncles, Donald E. Mullins and Chester E. Knoll.

He was resident of Fort Pierce since age 2, attended area schools, and graduated from Fort Pierce Westwood High School, Class of 1993. He studied at Indian River State College.

Shad began his career as a wild land firefighter with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service near Elk City, Idaho. Sidelined by an injury, Shad trained to operate cranes and worked for his family crane company, Mullins Inc. for many years. He was employed by Mullins Enterprises of Fort Pierce as a Commercial Property Manager for the past 14 years.

A "Renaissance Man"-he was a highly skilled craftsman enjoying the challenge of complex construction projects; a talented artist; a lover of books and reading; a sportsman and an avid Miami Dolphin and UF Gator fan. He cherished and protected his family; but most of all, he loved his son, "Dub".

A private family service will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Fort Pierce, Florida. A celebration of his life is planned for this summer at his beloved Idaho Red River Ranch. The family requests your prayers and privacy at the tragic loss of our adored Shad. We will miss and love him all the days of our lives.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Aycock Funeral Home, Fort Pierce, www.aycock-hillcrest.com
Published in the TC Palm from Mar. 6 to Mar. 8, 2020.¹