On August 20, 2010, Mrs. Willie Mae Slaton passed away at her home in De Soto where she had resided most of her life. She was born in Fairburn, GA. on December 12, 1924. At the age of six she relocated to Sumter County with her parents, John and Clarice Cook, never to leave the area again. Mrs. Slaton was a lifelong member of the De Soto Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Eastern Star. She attended Georgia Southwestern College and graduated in 1944 and began a career in bookkeeping. After World War II ended her future husband returned from the Pacific Theater and they were married in May of 1946. From that point on, Willie Mae Slaton continued her bookkeeping duties for the family farms of her two brothers and husband, and became a devoted homemaker and parent. She was the glue that held the wood together, all with a never-ending devotion to God. Mrs. Slaton was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Slaton Sr., her parents, all of her brothers, one sister, and a daughter. Surviving her are both of her children and their families; Sherry and David Cobb of De Soto, children Mandy Cofty, Jimbo and Allison Varnum, Katrina and Eric Ricter, Sharon Varnum and Ken Varnum; Hugh Slaton Jr. of Smithville, children Karamet and Andrew Smith, Safa, David, Izzie, Halim, and Hugh Slaton III; great grandchildren, Cody Cofty, Carter Smith, Chance, Alex, and Abbi Ricter; three sisters-in-law, Jackie Cook, Betty Cook, and Sarah Cook and a host of nieces and nephews. Active pallbearers will be Jimbo Varnum, Andrew Smith, David Slaton, Izzie Slaton, Halim Slaton, and Hugh Slaton III. Today as family and friends alike grieve, there will be much rejoicing in heaven as old family and friends are reunited. The time of earthly toils has ended so let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the DeSoto Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box100, DeSoto, GA 31743. Cemetery: DeSoto Cemetery Visitation: The family will receive friends on Saturday from four until six PM at Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel, and at other times at the family residence 127 Tim Tucker Road, DeSoto. Service: Funeral services are to be held on Sunday, August 22 at 2:00 PM at the De Soto Baptist Church with Brother Troy Fripp officiating.