Norma Jean Slaton, formerly of Harrisburg

Norma Jean Slaton, 87, of Paducah, formerly of Harrisburg, passed away Monday, Feb. 26, 2018 in Lourdes Hospital in Paducah.

Norma was born March 31, 1930 in Harrisburg to the late Denver H. and Estella (Travis) Alexander. On Feb. 1, 1951, she married Harvey Slaton and he survives.

Norma was a graduate of Southeastern Illinois College, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.

She worked for the Division of Children and Family Services and was Senior Services Coordinator for Southeastern Illinois College where she helped to establish the Senior Citizens program in the five counties that the college served. She also established the ABE/GED Program, which included "Grandma's Classics in GED," a curriculum that was near and dear to her heart.

Norma retired in 1994 after many years in service and education. She was a member of the First Church of God and loved her work and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Surviving family members include her husband, Harvey Slaton, of Paducah; daughter, Melissa (Robin) Breeden of Paducah; two grandchildren: Alyse (Sammy) Treesh of Nicholasville, Kentucky and Elena (Blair) Wrye of Paducah; two great-grandchildren: Harrison Alexander Treesh and Norah Abigail Treesh, both of Nicholasville; and several nieces and nephews, including Bob Pavelonis and Debbie Richey.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Harold and Robert Alexander; three sisters: Bonnie Pavelonis, Gaynelle Wygal-Smith and Arvella McCabe.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at Reed Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Dan Masters officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to service time Saturday at Reed Funeral Chapel.

For those who wish, donations may be made to the First Church of God and envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at www.reedfuneralchapel.com.