Betty Sherman Slater

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint".  Isaiah 40:31 

Betty Sherman Slater was born on March 14, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Elmo and Mary Sherman, and the granddaughter of William “Bill” and Lou Blain. She entered God’s kingdom at the regal age of 94 on August 28, 2025. Her Christian faith was central to her full life, guiding every step with joy and a deep love for God’s word. From a very young age, she was a faithful member of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. Betty loved to sing in the church choir and found solace in singing one of her favorite gospel songs, "So Many Times the Lord Made a Way for Me." She will be remembered as a beacon of light to so many, including the Sherman family, who continues to celebrate their beloved Betty Sherman Slater.

Betty’s Gifts

Betty grew up during the Great Depression. During that time, the Bucksport community, like today, stood on strong family values and alliances. Through her love for Southern cooking, she preserved culinary traditions that were passed down through generations. Betty’s favorite dishes to prepare were flap jacks (fried corn bread), cabbage, smothered steak with onions and her famous homemade gravy—and we will never forget her smoked neckbones that melted in your mouth. Cooking was in her bloodline. When she was not taking care of her family, she furthered her education at the Richardson Training School in Bucksport, then she married the love of her life, the late David Murray. As a widow looking for new opportunities in the 1950s, she moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to work as a domestic worker. It was in Philadelphia that Betty met Everett Slater, and they married in holy matrimony. In their union, God blessed them with one daughter, Cinquetta Slater. 

Left to cherish Betty’s memories are her loving child Cinquetta and beautiful grandchildren from Philadelphia; her god daughter, Debra Gore Alston from Bucksport; her sisters, Dr. Annette Matthews, Caletha (Bobby) Kinlaw and Juanita Bell of Maryland; her brothers, Nathaniel of New York, and Freddie Sherman of Maryland; her sisters-in-law, Cheryl Sherman of Oklahoma and Charlotte Sherman of Bucksport; her brother-in-law, Joseph N. King of New York; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Everett Slater, and siblings Daniel Sherman, Flossie Spain, Jane Sherman (Betty’s twin sister), Henry B. Sherman, Ruthenia Graham, Arnold Lee King, Nemo "Cush" Sherman, and Runcie "Ronnie" Sherman.

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