Dorothy "Dot" McDonald Slator

Dot was a fifth generation Texan, born and raised in Dallas. She was educated at Bradfield Elementary and Highland Park High School in Dallas, Ward Belmont College in Nashville, and Southern Methodist University, where she majored in Art History.

Dot met her husband Damon Tarlton Slator on a blind date in Houston in 1942, at which time he was a student at the Rice Institute (now Rice University). Thereafter, they kept in close contact, visiting one another in Houston and Dallas until Damon enlisted in the Army Air Corps. When Damon “got his wings” in 1944, they were married in Dallas. Other than the fact that the seriousness of war clouded the world at the time, they had a most interesting and rewarding time coping with the trials and tribulations of early marriage while traveling and living in the various places where Damon’s duty called him.

Dot was a member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and the Alter Guild. She was a founding member and past president of the Saintly Stitchers of St. Martin’s, whose name she coined. They designed and made needlepoint covers for the kneelers and prayer cushions for the Church and the Bishop’s Chapel, many needlepoint items for the annual Church Bazaar, needlepoint ornaments and decorations for the White House, and a needlepoint Nativity for the Bush Library.

In 1982, Dot won all three awards at the national convention of the American Needlepoint Guild. She was a member of the Society of American Miniaturists, the National Society of Miniature Enthusiasts, and a founder of the “Little Bits” Miniature Club. She is well known of her creations of doll houses and room boxes and her collections of miniatures, most of which she crafted herself.

Dot was a Charter Member of The Houston Junior Forum, founded in 1946, serving as an officer and chairman of numerous committees and the President of the Sustaining Members. She received awards for her service on numerous projects, including the Rusk Settlement, the Poco Dinero resale shop, and the Recreation Center for Older Adults, where she served as an instructor. She was a Girl Scout leader for more than ten years, leading her three daughters’ troops through the Brownies and Girl Scouts.

Dot will be remembered as the life of the party. She and her husband were members of the Key Club, the Sagewood Country Club, and the Houston Racquet Club. They loved to dance, particularly to Big Band and Latin music. They were member of the Malacca Club, the Huisache Club, the Bamboo Club, the Century Club and the Thalia Dance Club.

In the 1940’s, Dot and close friends co-founded of “The Bridge Club,” whose members played together for more than 65 years. She also was a founder of the “Cinco Grannies.”

Dot was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her mother Georgie Stevenson Laney and her stepfather Joseph Preston Laney of Dallas; and her aunt Margaret Stevenson Hotchkiss and uncle Dudley E. Hotchkiss of Houston. She is survived by her husband, Damon Tarlton Slator; and their three daughters, Laney Slator Rickman and her husband Jack Rickman of Cuero, Dorothy Slator Paterson and her husband Malcolm Paterson of Houston, Helen Slator Young and her husband Holland Young of Austin; their grandchildren, Audrey Tarlton Paterson of Houston, Andrew Slator Paterson of Houston, Rachael Slator Baker of Austin, Grady Damon Baker of Austin; Chè Rickman Crawford and her husband Matt Crawford of Houston; and their great-grandchild, Sway Opal Crawford of Houston.

Last but not least, Dot was a lover of her dogs and cats, and all of her other furred and feathered friends.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock this afternoon, Wednesday, the 10th of July, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the Rev. Martin J. Bastian, Senior Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, and the Rev. Katherine “Kate” F. Picot, Associate Rector for Pastoral Care and Prayer Ministries, both of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, are to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private entombment in the Memorial Mission Mausoleum at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, donations in her name may be directed to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Rd., Houston, TX, 77056; to the Washington National Cathedral, Attn: Development, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20016; or to the charity of one’s choice.