Arcenia Slade

 Arcenia Jenkins Slade was born on September 3, 1932 to the late Ernest (Buster) Jenkins and Ida (Porter) Jenkins in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Mother Slade departed this earthly life on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the Tarboro Rehabilitation Center of Tarboro, North Carolina. 

She was educated in the Edgecombe County (NC) Public School System. She was married to the late William (Bill) Slade until his death.

Mother Slade was a faithful member of the Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church, Tarboro, North Carolina. She served on the Home Mission Board. She was a nurse and later became a member of the Mother Board. She served until her health began to fail.

Mother Slade was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. She loved her family and was concerned about everyone. If she could help you with her kindness and compassion, she had no problem with it. She also had no problem speaking her mind and letting you know when you were right or wrong. She loved everyone. Her famous phrase was “My word is my bond.” Before her health failed her, she enjoyed working and taking care of her flower yard, preparing meals and feeding all who wanted or needed them. She believed in helping where she could. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She always ended a visit or telephone call with, “I love you and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Her favorite bible scripture was the 23rd Psalm.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mother Slade was preceded in death by four children, Linda Andrews, Michael Slade, Kenneth Slade, and Eldena Slade; two brothers and three sisters.

She leaves to cherish her memories, two daughters, Annie Wilkins of New Haven, CT, and Eleanor Slade of the home; a special daughter, Charlotte Alston (Lewis) of Tarboro, NC, who loved and cared for her; a bonus daughter, Ethel Williams of Tarboro, NC; three sons, William Slade (Phyllis) of Tarboro, NC, Felton Slade of PA, and William Ray Smith (Liza) of Rocky Mount, NC; two sisters, Mother Curly Albritton of Tarboro, NC, and Margaret Holley of Brooklyn, NY; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren; six great great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Funeral service was Friday, May 30, 2025 at 2pm at Conetoe Baptist Church 200 Railroad Street Conetoe, NC 27819. A public viewing was held from 1pm to 2pm Friday at the church. Burial was in the church cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Shawn Lea Funeral Home of Scotland Neck.