Thomas E. Slaydon

SLAYDON, Thomas E., of Abilene, Va., died peacefully at home at the age of 81 on June 11, 2009 after a long illness. He was a dairy farmer until he retired in 1982. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 and a half years, Madeline; three daughters, Barbara Armentrout and friend, Tom Majka, Norma Kernodle and husband, Carl Lee, Patsy Wood and husband, Steve; six grandchildren, Stefan and Scott Reinhardt, Christy Kernodle, Brian, Christopher and Tara Wood; two step-grandchildren, Julie Kernodle Adams and husband, John, and Courtney Kernodle Tharpe and friend, Ray Stevens; three great-grandchildren and three stepgreat-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Mary Frances Gryder Throckmorton and Betty Dunn Gryder; brother-in-law, Norman Gryder and wife, Helen; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by brothers-in-law, Arnold Throckmorton and Thomas Gryder. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2009, at the Beulah United Methodist Church in Abilene, with visitation following the service at the Abilene Community Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Beulah Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Rhonda Adams, 982 Abilene Road, Keysville, Va. 23947.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.