Most of her school years were in Colorado, then she moved with her family to Sheldon, Missouri, where she finished high school and graduated in 1945. She worked outside of the home doing many different jobs. She did real estate. Floris worked at the Sheldon Central Telephone office before there were private country lines and everyone had party lines, and also worked at one of the local cafes. She worked outside the home until their children, Leonard Slates and Max Slates were born. Happily, she then became a homemaker the rest of her life.
Floris had a passion for the simple things in life and worked very hard around the home. Frank and Floris always had a huge garden. Hard work such as canning and putting up all the vegetables and fruit that they raised never fazed her. She took a lot of pride in being able to do this and many times talked about how much she loved just looking at the jars of vegetables and variety of colors in the jars in her cabinets. Family, animals, nature, flowers, and especially birds were a source of great enjoyment for her, especially enjoying the sight of bright red cardinals. The beautiful flowers that adorned her yard and lane were a result of many years of work and transplanting.
She was an amazing cook, making almost everything from scratch. Her homemade chicken and noodles, hamburger and shells, and apple pie were always a favorite among her grandchildren. Floris was a seamstress and enjoyed sewing until her eyesight started failing. She made many of her families' clothes years ago and still enjoyed mending them if she was able. Floris and Frank lived most of their lives at their rural home east of Sheldon, Missouri, near Bellamy. Later they bought a home outside of Nevada, where they resided until Frank passed, and her health began to fail.
Her favorite time later in life was with her grandchildren. She loved the time she got to spend with her grandchildren and cherished the memories that was made, always wanting to reminisce with her pictures of when they were little. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, known to her great grandchildren as Grandma GG, with a big, beautiful heart.
Floris is survived by two sons, Leonard Slates (the late Linda Slates), Kansas City; Max Slates, wife Toni, Hume, Missouri; granddaughter Ashley White; grandson Benton Slates, wife Sam; five great grandchildren, Ryelyn and Oaklyn White; Harper, Elaina, and Morrigan Slates. Nephew Bill Current (Isabel) Cabot, Arkansas; niece Laverna Current Miller; and grandniece Marci Watters, Hagerstown, Md.
She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Slates and infant son, Freddie Dwayne Slates. Parents Fay Emery and Charlott Current;, sister Dortha Jantz; brothers Jasper Rufus Current and Willis (Bill) Current; daughter-in-law, Linda Slates; and niece Hazel Current Watters.
Family will have a private graveside burial. Friends may call now and until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.
