Esther Gusta (Willa) Slaughter

Esther G. Slaughter, 98, of Cape Girardeau, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2020, at her home.

She was born January 18, 1922, in Gordonville, Missouri, to Ben and Agusta Eggiman Willa.

Esther attended the former Campus School and graduated from cosmetology school.  On a blind date in 1941, she met R. O. “Jack” Slaughter.  Shortly thereafter, they began dating exclusively, and eloped on June 5, 1942.  They enjoyed many happy years together and had been married 51 years when Jack passed away June 23, 1993.

Prior to marriage, Esther lived in Kentucky and managed a new A & P Grocery Store.  When Jack was drafted into the U.S. Army, he and Esther resided near Bakersfield, California at Camp Haan, and Esther worked at the PX.  Upon returning to Cape Girardeau, Esther wound resisters for the A-Bomb in a Cape Girardeau factory.  From 1966 to 1971, she and Jack owned and operated PamMels Jewelry Store on Broadway.  During Jack’s employment with Prudential, the family enjoyed traveling.

Her memberships include the American Legion Auxiliary in Cape Girardeau and Grace United Methodist Church, where she also taught Sunday School.

Loving survivors include two daughters, and Pamela (Mike) Lohmann of Cape Girardeau and Melenie Meyers of Fruitland; four grandchildren: Leslie (Boyd) Sievers of Jackson; Jeremy (Kelley) Price of Bowling Green, Kentucky; Chad (Paula) Price of Bloomfield, Missouri; Adam Roy Van De Weghe of Fruitland; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two nephews; one niece; and three special caregivers, Angie Hency, Helen Ireland and Kathy Payne.

She was preceded in death her husband; parents; and two sisters, Bernice Hunze and Ruby Willa.

Due to current health concerns, the family will honor Esther with a private funeral at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, with Rev. Kevin Rhodes officiating.  Interment is private at Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, where Esther will be laid to rest beside Jack.

The Slaughter family is grateful for the wonderful care Esther received from both Legacy Hospice and Pyramid Hospice.  Therefore, memorials to either hospice are appreciated.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the TRIBUTES tab of Esther’s personal oituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

Legacy Hospice, Inc
Bollinger County, Marble Hill MO 63764
Web: http://legacyhospice,net

Pyramid Hospice - Cape Girardeau
P.O. Box 1927, Cape Girardeau MO 63702
Tel: 1-800-454-1975
Web: http://pyramidhhs.com/index.php/services/hospice