Lewis E. Slater passed away peacefully at his home on August 11, 2025.
He was born on October 31, 1939, in Greenville, Mississippi and grew up in the small delta town of Tutwiler. Lewis was the son of Lucien E. Slater and Emmie Irene Weir.
In 1957, Lewis graduated from West Tallahatchie High School. He was active in the First Baptist Church of Tutwiler, Beta Club, band, and Troop 29 of the Boy Scouts, where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
Lewis attended Mississippi State University, earning a degree in General Business in 1961 and an M.B.A. in 1967. At State, he was active in the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, Kappa Sigma fraternity, and Arnold Air Society. During college, Lewis joined the U.S. Army Reserve’s 457th Civil Affairs Unit in Starkville and remained in that unit until he was discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1967.
Following graduation from MSU, Lewis went to work for Walker Manufacturing Company in Aberdeen. Six years later, he took a job with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce (now the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership), launching what would become a successful 45-year career. He retired in 2014.
During his tenure with the Chamber, Lewis earned a law degree from Jackson School of Law (now Mississippi College School of Law). He served as President of the Mississippi Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and as President of the American Chamber of Commerce Researcher’s Association. He was a graduate of the U.S. Chamber Institute, the Economic Development Institute, and the Community Development Institute. In 1997, Lewis was designated a Professional Community Developer.
While a student at Mississippi State, Lewis met Donna Blaylock of Okolona, Mississippi on a blind date. They were married on July 5, 1964. Lewis and Donna were active members of St. Mark’s Methodist Church in Aberdeen and then Christ United in Jackson starting in 1969.
At Christ United, Lewis served on the Administrative Board and volunteered at many special events. He faithfully served in both youth ministry and children’s ministry and enjoyed playing the guitar on Sunday mornings for preschool worship time. Lewis was an active member of the adult choir, which was one of his favorite ways to serve.
Lewis is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna; daughters Jennifer Slater Palmer (Stephen) of Starkville and Sharon Slater Moellendick of Marietta, Georgia; grandchildren Avery Palmer DeRocher (Matthew), Haley Palmer, Slater Moellendick and Lexi Moellendick; and great granddaughter Daphne DeRocher.
A Celebration of Life Service was held at Christ United in Jackson, Mississippi on August 28. Memorial gifts may be made to the NextGen Ministry or Music Ministry of Christ United, 6000 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39211.
