Louise Slover's Obituary
Sarah Louise Head Slover
Affectionately known by her family as “Nana” and to friends as “Louise,” Sarah Louise Head Slover passed away Tuesday, May 23, in Henderson, Texas, her hometown of almost 62 years. Louise was born May 9, 1938, in Big Sandy, Texas, to Henry Leston Head and Sarah Maudina Head. As a girl, her family moved to Longview and eventually to Huntsville, where she graduated from high school in 1956. She attended Baylor University, where she met her future husband, Robert Bruce “Bob” Slover, in accounting class. They married on Aug. 23, 1958, and moved to Henderson in 1961 because Bob was hired to be chief accountant and office manager for Henderson Clay Products (HCP). They had three children together, Pamela, Sherry and Bruce Slover, who all graduated from Henderson schools. Louise loved all of her many friends and family members, and she especially adored her three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Louise finished her Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Stephen F. Austin State University in 1965 and joined HCP in the mid-1960s, where she eventually became the credit manager. When Henderson Clay Products sold in 1985, Louise and Bob both left the company. They later formed their own oil and gas production company, Warrior Petroleum, which they continued to operate together until her passing.
An active community leader for decades in Henderson, Louise was named a Yellow Rose of Texas in 1972 by then-Texas Governor Preston Smith. Louise served as a director for the East Texas Economic Development District and president of the Henderson Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO). During her tenure with HEDCO, a number of community advancements were accomplished, including completion of construction of the traffic loop around Henderson. It was during her tenure with HEDCO that the group approved the first “Head Start” program budget to benefit Henderson school children. She also served on the water board that studied bringing the Sabine River as a water source to Henderson.
Louise also passionately supported preservation of the community’s history, serving many years as president of the Rusk County Heritage Association, promoting and preserving the historic Howard-Dickenson House. She also served as president of the Henderson Woman’s Forum, the local Pilot club chapter and the Modern Study Club. She was a member of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, James Smith Chapter.
A long-time member of First Baptist Church Henderson, Louise served on the building committee for construction of the church’s first children’s wing. When her children were young, she served as a Blue Bird leader, classroom mother, PTA member and band booster. She also served on the committee to build the new high school in the early 1980s. Louise was an avid bridge and mah jongg player, enjoying the love and support over the years of the wonderful ladies she played with.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Leston Head and Sarah Maudina Snider Head, and by her brother, Henry Rayford Head, who died two days before his sister, on May 21, 2023. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Robert Bruce “Bob” Slover; her sister-in-law, Myrtle Head; children Pamela Slover Percival (George) of Fort Worth, Sherry Slover Lewis (Michael) of Ruston, Louisiana, and John Bruce Slover (Vickie) of Longview; grandchildren Johnathan Slover of Normangee, Jennifer Alexis Percival and husband, Bonham Duncan, of New Orleans and Preston Percival of Dallas; great-grandchildren Keegan, Ridley and Rowan; nieces Patricia Head Nipps (Richard), Julia Head and LuAnne Slover Halbert (Gary); and nephews David Head (Cathy) and John Steven Slover (Kaye). Louise’s family also wishes to thank special friends Joyce Blalack and Rose Sparks for their love and care.
The family invites friends and family to join them in celebrating Louise’s life at a come and go reception on Saturday, June 3, 2-4 p.m., at the family home in Henderson. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to First Baptist Church of Henderson, Smith Cemetery Association (PO Box 594, Big Sandy, TX 75755) or the Providence Cemetery Association (PO Box 2244, Jacksonville, TX. 75766).
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