Slaughter, Ann

Former Laurinburg Mayor Ann Beacham Slaughter of 628 S. King St. died peacefully at her home on May 14, 2011, surrounded by her family. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church officiated by the Rev. Patricia Stone. A family committal service will be held prior to the memorial service with Tommy Parker, Bill Parker, Joe Vrnak, Bert Beacham, Aaron Smith, and Casey Ventre serving as pallbearers. Sh is survived by a son, Dr. John Harrison Slaughter, III and wife, Tammie McGinnis Slaughter of Laurinburg; two daughters, Rebecca Jean Slaughter of Raleigh and Jackie Slaughter Robinson and husband, Tom of Fayetteville; four grandchildren, Anna Miller Slaughter of Laurinburg, Mary John Slaughter of Nags Head, John Harrison Slaughter, IV of Laurinburg, and Paris Marie Slaughter of Raleigh; two great-grandchildren, Parker John Slaughter and Jaselyn Marie Fink. Surviving also are Catherine Marie Fink of Laurinburg, Colleen Michelle Fink of Smithfield, and Carlie Melinda Fink of Greensboro. Preceding her in death were her husband, John Harrison Slaughter, Jr. and son, James Michael Slaughter. She was born in Laurinburg on May 30, 1932, on of eleven children born to “Click” and Emma Baldwin Beacham. She graduated from Laurinburg High School in 1950 and married John Harrison Slaughter, Jr. the same year. Together for 43 years, they owned and operated Southern Cleaners in downtown Laurinburg. Ann served as a council member on the Laurinburg City Council for ten years followed by ten years as Mayor of Laurinburg until 2007. She was beloved by city officials and citizens alike. When asked what she felt had been her greatest accomplishment as Mayor, Mrs. Slaughter replied, “Getting the old hospital torn down and bringing the Richmond Technical College campus to our citizens.” Prior to her entrance into politics, Mrs. Slaughter spearheaded the movement to bring education to the entire county when she underlined threats from the hazardous waste corporation, G. S. X. and subsequently formed Sensible Concerns About Toxics (S. C. A. T.). Her leadership within this organization and her tenacity for finding truth effectively resulted in landmark changes in laws throughout the entire state of North Carolina. To this day these laws protect citizens throughout our county and state. To that end, fellow council members accredit the status that Laurinburg enjoys as an All American City directly to Ann Slaughter‘s never ending dedication. She was also presented the the Governor‘s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 1986. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested for the First United Methodist Church, 101 W. Church St., Laurinburg, NC 28352, Hospice, PO Box 1033, Laurinburg, NC 28353, or Scotland County Relay for Life. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium and following the memorial service in the church fellowship hall.