Charles Ewing Slayton

Charles Ewing Slayton was born on July 9, 1943, in the small railroad town of Westmoreland, Tennessee, to Reverend Odell and Edith Slayton. His birth into a ministerial family would profoundly shape the trajectory of his entire life, setting him on a path of faith, service, and community leadership that would span more than eight decades. The spiritual foundation laid by his father, an ordained minister in the Church of God of Prophecy, created an environment where religious devotion was not merely practiced but lived as a daily reality.

In his youth, the Slayton family made the significant decision to relocate from rural Tennessee to the bustling city of Indianapolis, Indiana, seeking new opportunities in the post-World War II economic expansion. This migration from a small Southern town to a major Midwestern industrial center represented both geographical and cultural transformation. In Indianapolis, Charles attended Emmerich Manual High School, an institution renowned for its innovative approach to combining academic education with practical vocational training. The school's emphasis on both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills would prove invaluable preparation for Charles's future professional endeavors.

It was during these formative Indianapolis years that Charles deepened his commitment to the Church of God of Prophecy, becoming a devoted lifelong member for more than eighty years. The Church of God of Prophecy, a Holiness Pentecostal denomination with roots extending back to 1903, emphasized the baptism of the Holy Spirit, divine healing, and the restoration of New Testament Christianity. Charles's unwavering faith in this tradition would become the cornerstone around which he organized every aspect of his life.

Romance entered Charles's life when he met Charlotte at Cruft Street Church of God of Prophecy in Indianapolis. Their shared faith provided the foundation for what would become a remarkable partnership spanning more than six decades. On February 14, 1964—Valentine's Day—Charles and Charlotte were united in marriage, beginning a union that would endure for sixty-two years until Charles's passing. The choice of Valentine's Day as their wedding date reflected not only romantic sentiment but also Charles's appreciation for meaningful symbolism that would make their anniversary eternally memorable.

In 1975, at the age of thirty-two, Charles answered the call to pastoral ministry, beginning what would become more than thirty years of devoted service to Church of God of Prophecy congregations. His pastoral journey took him across two states, serving communities in Peoga, Greenwood, Greenfield, Brownsburg, and Anderson, Indiana, as well as Fayette and Phil Campbell, Alabama. Each congregation received Charles's faithful spiritual leadership, as he brought the same commitment to ministry that characterized every aspect of his life. His ability to shepherd diverse communities across rural and urban settings demonstrated remarkable adaptability and genuine pastoral heart.

Concurrent with his ministerial calling, Charles built a distinguished professional career in the electrical supply industry throughout the Indianapolis area. For more than thirty years, he worked with several prominent companies including Watson-Flagg, W.L. Flemming Electric, Moran Electric Service, Baker Wholesale Electric, CED Electrical Supply, and All Phase. His reputation in the industry was characterized by an exceptionally strong work ethic, unwavering reliability, and the genuine relationships he cultivated with both colleagues and customers. This dual commitment to religious service and professional excellence exemplified Charles's understanding that faith should be lived out in every sphere of life.

Charles and Charlotte's marriage was blessed with three children: Jerry, who settled in Indianapolis with his wife Rhonda; Stephanie, who made her home in Bloomington, Illinois, with her husband Jeff Casner; and Greg, who remained close to his parents in West Plains, Missouri, with his wife Missy. The family legacy extended further through six grandchildren—Demi Hoskins, Jessica Staton (married to Derrek), Dara Hoskins, Caleb Slayton, Tiffany Casner, and Jessica Casner—and eight great-grandchildren: Layla Emberton, Daisy Emberton, Leland Hoskins, Brooks Hoskins, Delilah Staton, Waylon Barnett, Lincoln Hoskins, and River Smith. This multigenerational family structure testified to Charles and Charlotte's success in creating a strong family foundation that extended their values and love across three generations.

In their later years, Charles and Charlotte relocated to West Plains, Missouri, where they enjoyed retirement while maintaining their deep faith connections and family relationships. West Plains, located in the scenic Ozark region of south-central Missouri, provided a peaceful setting for their golden years. Even in retirement, Charles remained committed to his spiritual community and continued to embody the values of faith, service, and family devotion that had defined his entire adult life.

Charles's family of origin included his parents, Reverend Odell and Edith Slayton, both of whom preceded him in death, as well as his sister Nancy Slayton, who also predeceased him. He was survived by his sister Ann Whitaker of Somerset, Kentucky, maintaining family connections across the region where his roots were established. These family relationships represented the enduring bonds that Charles valued throughout his life, connecting him to his Tennessee origins even as he built his life in Indiana and Missouri.

On March 28, 2026, Charles Ewing Slayton peacefully passed away in West Plains, Missouri, at the age of eighty-two, surrounded by his beloved wife Charlotte and their children. His passing marked the end of a life lived with remarkable consistency and purpose. The funeral service, held on April 7, 2026, at Indiana Funeral Care in Greenwood, Indiana, brought together family, friends, and community members whose lives had been touched by Charles's ministry, professional service, and personal witness.

Charles Ewing Slayton's legacy extends far beyond the mere facts of his biography. He represented a generation of men who understood that faith, family, and work were not separate compartments but integrated aspects of a life well-lived. His eighty-two years encompassed the Great Depression's end, World War II's aftermath, the civil rights era, technological revolution, and the dawn of the digital age. Through all these changes, Charles maintained steadfast commitment to the values that defined him: unwavering faith in God, devoted love for his family, excellence in his professional calling, and faithful service to his community. The three generations of descendants he and Charlotte raised ensure that his influence will continue long beyond his earthly presence, a fitting testament to a life dedicated to building something greater than himself.