Erma Slavens

Erma LaVonne Slavens, 91, of Flatwoods, died peacefully on November 15, 2020, at Community Hospice in Ashland from complications due to Covid 19. She was born on January 28, 1929, in Webster City, Iowa, to the late Peter Francis and Eva Bertina (Lillegard) Meyers. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Clarence Halasek, and her second husband, Maurice J. Slavens; her son, Robert (Bob) Halasek (Judy); and her siblings, Roy, Faye, and Hila.

She is survived by her daughter, Evonne Kay Halasek Norris (Randall), of Columbus, OH; four grandchildren, Andrea Richardson (John) of Ponte Vedra, FL; Trent Halasek (Chelsea) of Simpsonville, KY; Melissa Cherry (Stephen Platz) of Portland, OR; and Elizabeth Cherry (T.C. Marker) of North Olmsted, OH; three step-grandchildren, Hannah Norris (Cam Duncan) of Augusta, GA; Emma Lytle (Matt) of Nicholasville, KY; and Patrick Norris of Columbus, OH.  She is also survived by four great grandchildren, Tinley and Crew Halasek and Reese and Rory Richardson, and her dear cousin, Bonnie Britson, of Atlantic, IA.

Erma began her teaching career in the Lawrence County (KY) school district and retired in 1995 after many years teaching at McDowell Elementary in the Russell Independent School system. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and Rank 1 Certification from Morehead State University. She was a long-time congregant of First Presbyterian Church in Ashland, dedicated teacher, skilled seamstress, and committed volunteer, often knitting, crocheting, or quilting items for charity drives.   

An avid traveler, she visited every continent except Antarctica and traveled on educational missions with Global Volunteers to several countries, including Poland and Ghana. She was also a passionate hiker, trekking most of the Appalachian Trail and reaching nearly all of the highpoints in the United States, including Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, Mt. Hood in Oregon, and Mt. Whitney in California, the highest peak (14,494 feet) in the continental United States.

A private burial will be held at Bellefonte Memorial Gardens. The family requests that memorial donations may be made in her honor to Community Hospice of Ashland.

Carman Funeral Home is caring for arrangements.