Obituary of Mildred Slaughter

Mildred Evelyn Slaughter, 71, of East Bertrand Road in Niles, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at Memorial Hospital with her family by her side. Mildred was born on March 3, 1937 to the late Albert Murl and Velma Estelle (Poindexter) Tedder in Cabot, Arkansas. She was one of 12 children raised in the Tedder household. On September 18, 1954 Mildred wed the love of her life, Ed Wess Slaughter at a ceremony in Breadsville, Michigan. Together they had 5 children. Before Mildred had children and became the most hospitable homemaker anyone knew she worked outside the home, working at Brandywine Schools in the cafeteria, a nursing home and even Niles Library, but Mildred's family was her number one priority. She became a homemaker to take care of her family and house. She loved the spring season because it meant that she could get outside and plant her flowers, spend time in her garden and have even more get-togethers. Mildred was always cooking, not because she enjoyed eating so many different types of food but because when she cooked it meant she got to feed others and see the joy on their faces. Her house was visited by many and no one ever left without their stomach full and heart happy. All she ever wanted to do was make other people happy. She never met a stranger and one easy way to bring cheer to her entire neighborhood was her Christmas decorations. The house would be elaborate inside and out and seen by all that were near and Christmas shopping always started December 27th for the next year. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ed, brothers Leon, Ronny and Jack Tedder and sister Eddith Tedder. Mildred is survived by her children Cindy (David) Jerdon of Niles, John (Karen) Slaughter of Edwardsburg, Judy (Gene) Erickson of Addison, Michigan, Edward "Allen" Slaughter of Niles and Teresa (David) Adams of Big Rapids, Michigan, 13 Grandchildren, 6 Great-Grandchildren, and siblings Lilburn (Lucille) Tedder of Searcy, Arkansas, Dorothy (Jay) Glenn of Niles, Jerry (Brenda) Tedder of Niles, Murl (Pat) Tedder of Judsonia, Arkansas, Hellen (Jimmy) Olson of Searcy, Arkansas, Eddy (Sara) Tedder of Forest City, Arkansas and Patricia (John) Clemons of Cherry Valley, Arkansas. Services to honor Mildred's life will be held at Brown Funeral Home on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. with a time of visitation to be held one hour prior to the service. Mildred will be interred at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.