Mary Owens Slavin

TARBORO – Mary Owens Slavin, age 91, passed away on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. Born in Rocky Mount, NC on February 6, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Henry Bruce and Irene Boone Owens. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, William Calvin Slavin; her daughter, Teresa Slavin Long; her grandson, Lee Slavin; her sisters, Mattie Gupton, Bernice Parrish, and Arlene Robinson; and her brothers, Larry, Otis, Willard, Wendell, and Wayne Owens.

Mary’s joys were Calvin and her family. She loved babies, especially her grandbabies and great grandbabies. She worked several jobs in her life and was especially proud of her career at Abbott Labs, where she retired in 1986. She loved Rocky Mount and never wanted to live anywhere else other than week-end trips to their cottage at the Pungo River, “Pearly Shores”, where she enjoyed fishing and sitting on the pier watching the grandbabies play in the water. She enjoyed gardening and loved her flowers in the yard. Pink was her favorite color. She made a difference in the life of everyone who knew her and she leaves behind a tremendous legacy of life, love, and laughter.

Mary is survived by her sons, Bruce (Debra), Edward (Tina), and David (Judy); her son-in-law, Mike Long, 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; her sister, Geneva Davis; and several nieces and nephews.

A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. A visitation with the family will follow the service at the graveside.

Flowers are welcome; because Mary loved them; or memorials may be made in Mary’s name to Rocky Mount Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2045 S. Halifax Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27803.

Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.