Betty Marie (Heath) Slate

Betty Marie Slate, 86, of Rocheport, went to be with her Lord on May 4, 2022.

She was born on January 16, 1936, in Boone County to the late Vernon and Jewell (Jones) Heath.  On January 22, 1954, she married Roger Slate in Midway, Missouri.  She was a member of the Praise Assembly of God Church in Columbia. 

In her 86 years, Betty had a joyous spirit that enveloped you. She devoted her whole life to God and everything else fell into place. It started with working in a strawberry patch with a man named Roger. She was a speedy picker, picking extra to compensate for Roger’s slow pace. He shared a bottle of pop with her as a thank you. Eventually, they married, creating a beautiful family. Together, they built a business that became a part of their fondest memories with their loved ones. Starting from a small garage for bike rentals they expanded, adding a quaint café that sits right off the Missouri River. The Trailside Café located in the darling town of Rocheport, Missouri. After many years, they sold the business to retire and prioritize their family.

Betty enjoyed anything that brought the ones she loved together, including board games or besting you at a game of cards. Betty was never short on love to share. She often showed this by cooking, baking, and making sure you ate more than you could handle. Her and Roger were a part of a community in South Texas where they would visit during the Missouri Winters. The people of Dream Valley, Mission, Texas are their family away from home.

Roger & Betty built a beautiful life together, although 68 years of marriage may seem like a long time…no matter how much time they would have together, it wouldn’t have been enough. Betty spent her last days surrounded by her husband and loved ones who will carry on her legacy by living life to the fullest with God.

Betty is survived by her husband, Roger; her son, Mark Slate of Rocheport and his family - children, Julie and Renee; grandchildren, Levi, Laythan, Kaylee, Adrianna (Charles), Daniel Ryan, and David; great grandchildren, Wyatt and Emberlynn;  daughter, Tammy (John) Kemp of Columbia and her family - children, John, Jerry and Tim (Megan); grandchildren, Avery, Matthew, Jacob, Ariel, Isaac, Katelynn, Harper, Evelyn and Theodore; daughter, Patricia Nguyen of Columbia and her family - children, Mikel (Cheryl), Christean, and Alyysha (Andrew); deceased daughter, Betty Jean Jimenez’s family - children, Jeanie Marie, Amber and Heather; grandchildren, AJ and Kiara; siblings, Wayne Heath of Independence, Bobby Heath of Columbia and Jimmy (Charla) of Williamsburg.

Betty was also preceded in death by her daughters, Betty Jean, Teresa and seven siblings, Melvin, Virginia, Nadine, Raymond, Phillip, Carl and Steve.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Praise Assembly of God Church.  Family will receive friends from 10 AM until time for the service. Burial will follow the service at Memorial Park Cemetery.

NOTE: flowers to be delivered to church  on Friday, 10am- 12pm or Saturday, 9-9:45am.

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