Obituaries

Octavia Marie “Rea” Slaughter, 82, of Sunset Drive, Bassett, VA, departed from this life on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at her residence. She was born in Patrick County, VA, on May 28, 1941, to the late Sam Will Penn and Ida Beatrice Penn.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Jessie Willie Slaughter; one sister, Beatrice Noami Penn; and two brothers, Clarence Willie Penn, and Sammie Busic Penn.

Octavia was a member of Mt. Carmel Holiness Church in Madison, NC. She was a part of the culinary and beautification committees for the church. She was a member of the Usher Board and served as the superintendent of the Sunday School. She was a graduate of Patrick Central High School, class of 1960. She later became employed at Bassett Walker as a supervisor.

Those left behind to cherish her memory include, one stepson, Douglas Woods of Bassett, VA; three sisters, Mary Lou Hairston, Demris Lillian Manns, and Melva Elizabeth Hairston all of Bassett, VA; one Goddaughter, Lorisa Fuller of Bassett, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held Monday, December 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at The Greater International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Martinsville, VA. The burial will follow at Martin Family Cemetery, Bassett, VA. A public viewing will be held Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Hairston Funeral Home, Martinsville, VA.

To view live streaming of the funeral service, go to Hairston Funeral Home live on Facebook.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hairston Funeral Home.