Virginia Slayden

Visitation:
Monday, November 26, 2007
6:00 PM until 9:00 PM
Wayne Boze Funeral Home
1826 W.Hwy 287 Business
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Service:
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
2:00 PM
Ferris Avenue Baptist Church
1401 Ferris Ave
Waxahachie, Tx 75165

Virginia Slayden
July 23, 1921
November 23, 2007
Angels from heaven took our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to live forever in the house of the Lord, on November 23, 2007. Virginia, or better known to all of us, Ginny, was born in McKinney, Texas, to her loving parents, J.S. and Gertrude Shinpaugh. They moved to Waxahachie before she was two years old. Being the oldest child and born into the years of the Great Depression, times of poverty meant family dedication for survival. Ginny found herself as caretaker, mentor and friend for her sisters and brothers, even before she was old enough to care for herself. She was helping cook, clean, baby sit and even work before she was eight years old. The summer of her eighth birthday, she walked over a mile in the August heat to pick cotton along side adults more than three times her age. She has told about the lunch of a biscuit with homemade jelly, the blistering sun with only a small fruit jar with warm water to drink, pulling the heavy canvas cotton sack, that by the end of each day weighed almost a hundred pounds. And then, walking back home to help prepare for the next day. It was not by choice, it was by necessity. Her labor gave the money to buy fabric for sewing school clothes for each of them. She continued this until she was a grown girl and old enough to get a job with S.H. Kress 5 & 10 Cent Store. She graduated from Waxahachie High School in 1939; found employment with Haggar Slacks as a seamstress and quickly became a "floor lady" or known today as a supervisor. This was hard work during the war times making uniforms for service men. Her love of music and dancing introduced her to her husband. Her friends encouraged her to enter a talent contest at a dance place in Red Oak, Texas. She could whistle like a bird. She entered and won first place, twenty dollars. That same night she met Roy (Bill) Cashion. They danced to "The Tennessee Waltz" and fell in love. They married September 14, 1940 at the First Presbyterian Church in Waxahachie. Their only child, Tonie, was born in April, four years later. Ginny wanted to be a mother so much, she gave her time to staying home. To help support the family, she baked cakes and made rag dolls. Ginny spent her life giving to others, openly, willingly and with love she gave to all that knew her. She began her long work career with Texas Power and Light in 1954, and enjoyed her position in the accounting department for over twenty five years. Her coworkers were like family and still are today. Ginny loved Waxahachie. Her favorite saying was,"Waxahachie is the Garden Spot of the World." She believed that it was the only place to live. She told everyone she met to see the Court House. She was as proud of that building as if it belonged to her. She traveled in Europe and all the united States, but would always say, "there is nothing as wonderful as coming home to Waxahachie."

Her passion in life was her family. She loved her daughter, son-in-law, brothers, sisters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins, and found nothing but good in each of them. Holidays were her favorite. She opened her home to everyone. Her love for cooking always meant something good would be waiting for whoever came by. She could prepare a meal for a large group and never have to leave home. Everyone loved her pound cake and chocolate pie. Her pleasures were gardening, playing bridge, cooking, sewing and dancing. Her "green thumb" was evident in her yard that was always beautiful with flowers that grew without effort for her.

Her love of life was felt in the community. She was a faithful servant and loving member of Ferris Avenue Baptist Church for more than fifty two years. Her devotion to serve made her a Veteran Lifetime Member of the Waxahachie Rebekah Lodge, with over fifty years of membership. She held every position in the lodge and several more than once. She was a charter member of the Waxahachie ABWA, their first President and Woman of the Year; a member of the Bardwell Eastern Star Lodge, an active member in three local bridge clubs, delivered Meals on Wheels, helped with the Senior Citizens Center and traveled extensively with the Citizens Bank Travel Club.

After her husband Bill, of thirty five years passed away, she met and married James Lynn Slayden. They traveled and enjoyed each other for eleven years. Their love of family gave all of us joy. Over five years ago, her love of life, strength and her passion of being active were slowly being stolen from her and her family. Alzheimers gradully took this active, loving, giving, compassionate beautiful woman away from all those she loved and the life she enjoyed.

Her life was an example for all of us. She loved family, neighbors, and strangers, treating everyone as she herself wanted to be treated and always, forgave without limits. The love she provided, the compassion, honesty and strength she gave will remain in the hearts and minds of each of us forever. It is with honor, pride and eternal love that we share the wonderful memories that she gave each of us.

She is survived by her daughter, Tonie Allard and son-in-law, Dan Allard; grandchildren, Adam Allard and wife Sharon, April Allard and Alesha Hamilton and husband Kevin. Great Grandchildren, Andrew Allard and Gennie Rose Hamilton, Sarah Merrill and Jessica Brightman, all of Farmersville, Texas. Stepson Rev. Terry N. Cashion and wife Marynell of Cypress, Texas; their children, Sherry Koch of Cypress Texas, Karen Getzendanner of Palestine, Texas, Renee Anderson of Carrollton, Texas and grandchildren, Justin and Jordan Koch. Brothers, Oscar and Edward Shinpaugh both of Waxahachie, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, her wonderful husbands, Bill Cashion and James Lynn Slayden, and her sisters, Jo Griffin and Eva Mauldin.

Pallbearers will be Lynn Lawson, Scott Lawson, Stephen Lawson, Layne Shinpaugh, Dwayne Shinpaugh, Richard Shinpaugh, David Shinpaugh, Larry Shinpaugh, Greg Graham, and Matthew Mauldin.

It is with our heartfelt love we give thanks to each and every staff person at Provident Living Center in McKinney, Texas. Their care provided the best possible life for Ginny.

Her love for children and adults with disabilities were a passion she gave so willingly and supported throughout her life. It would be her request that you share her love and give your memorials to: Bridgewood Farms, 11680 Rose Road, Conroe, Texas 77303.

She will be at rest awaiting your visit at Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie. A visitation for family and friends will be Monday evening, November 26, 2007 from 6 to 9 PM at Wayne Boze Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 2 PM at Ferris Avenue Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Waxahachie, Texas.
www.waynebozefuneralhome.com