Mildred “Billie” Carpenter Slater was born June 3, 1915, in New Bern, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Howard J. Carpenter. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph E. Slater Jr. and is survived by her son Joseph E. Slater and companion Mary Beth McCauley of Pagosa Springs, Colo., and daughters Anita Elizabeth Exum (Ashe) of Kinston and Patricia Anne Holscher (Fred) of Washington; grandchildren:  Ashe Exum Jr., Mary Elizabeth Sutton and Anne Slater Barnes; stepgrandchildren, Franz and Paul Holscher and Harper Hutchens; great-grandchildren, Ashe Exum III, Jordan Exum, Sarah Sutton, Anne Slater and Mary Elizabeth Barnes and Foster and Hilton Hutchens, Frederick and Mary Emma Holscher and Joseph Thomas Holscher.

Mrs. Slater was recognized in 1987 as an Honorary Life Member of the First Presbyterian Church of New Bern because she was an Elder and president of the Women of the Church and was involved in many and various committees throughout her life. In the community, she was an active member in the Junior Woman’s Club, the Garden Club, the New Bern Historical Society and Preservation Foundation, and the Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter of D.A.R., where she served as registrar. She was also a volunteer in several organizations including the Gray Ladies at Craven County Hospital and the Red Cross Bloodmobile. One of the loves of her life was Billie’s work for Tryon Palace for over 20 years. As a hostess and guide at the palace and surrounding homes, she exuded southern charm to the many touring visitors. Billie Slater gave love and acceptance to all she met and received both in return.

Special thanks to her caretakers at Berne Village and her special earthly angel, Esther Cooper.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Greenleaf Memorial Park, 900 River Road, New Bern, followed by a reception at the cemetery’s Lakeside Chapel.

The family requests that contributions be made to the Tryon Palace Commission, P.O. Box 1007, New Bern, NC 28563.

Online condolences may be directed to www.pollockbest.com. Arrangements are by Pollock-Best Funerals & Cremations.