Mary P. Slack

On Tuesday, November 11th, 2025, Mary Alice Prestridge Slack returned to the side of her beloved husband and into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Mary was born on October 10th, 1940, in Poplarville, Mississippi, to the late George and Hilda Prestridge. During her teen years, she felt the Lord calling her to missions and committed to serving as a missionary for life. She attended Northwestern State University, where she met her future husband, Dr. James B. Slack, Sr. The Lord used her deep conviction and example as her future husband began to feel the Lord’s call to missions. After Mary graduated as a licensed registered nurse, they got married and were commissioned as missionaries with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. On the mission field in the Republic of the Philippines, she served as a mentor and counseled young mothers and women in need. Mary taught and spoke to various women’s groups on a wide range of medical, social, and spiritual issues. She did all of this while raising and homeschooling four children. Over the years, she faithfully supported and helped shape her husband’s ministry.

After years of serving in the Philippines, Mary and her husband moved to Richmond, Virginia, where she began teaching Sunday school at Grove Avenue Baptist Church. Mary was full of love and kindness, always listening well and offering gentle, Godly wisdom. She continued to mentor and counsel many women through various ministries. Her smile brightened every room, and she always pointed those around her back to the Lord. To her many grandchildren, she was Mamaw. Every visit was full of stories, laughter, and love. Mamaw took an active role as she invested time to teach and encourage them, especially during their formative years. She always made intentional connections with each of her grandchildren. Mamaw ensured that they felt loved and valued throughout their lives through visits, phone calls, livestreams, text messages, and pictures.

Mamaw’s life embodied her favorite scripture from Hebrews 12:1–3. She ran her race with her eyes fixed on Jesus, and she never grew weary in her faith, inspiring everyone around her to do the same.

It seems fitting that her passing was on Veterans Day as she was the daughter of a decorated US Army Veteran of Normandy and WWII, married to a US Army Military Police Reserve Officer, she raised two Marines and a grandson in the Army. Mary felt honored to be surrounded by such courageous and selfless men who served their country faithfully.

She is survived by her sons James B. Slack Jr. (Molly), Joel S. Slack (Tonya), Jonathan S. Slack (Erica), as well as her daughter Sherrie Slack Holland (Mike); her grandchildren Brennan (Corey), Eilie (Dakota), Michael, Heidi, Amelia, John (Elizabeth), Kenneth (Alyssa), Mary, Allen, Danielle, Christy, Vivian, and Gabriel, and great-grandchildren Julian, Jordan, Logan, Jane, Hazyl, and Esther.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, December 20th in the Simms Center at Lakewood Retirement Community, 1900 Lauderdale Dr., Richmond, VA 23238. Mary will be buried alongside her husband of 57 years in his hometown of Minden, Louisiana, on the 30th of November.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home or the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.