Dora Elizabeth Hudspeth Slaughter was born March 6, 1914 at Buckner, Missouri to Clara E. (Hock) and Henry C. Hudspeth. She was educated in the Fort Osage public schools. She participated in Buckner School contests winning first in vocal solo Division 6 sponsored by Buckner Community Assn. and won vocal voice contest from the Jackson County School contests. Dora played leads in the Junior Class play “Kicked Out Of College”, and in an Operetta “Jerry Of Jerrico Road”., and acted in a 1 Act play contest as a nurse in “Thank You Doctor”. Dora was Vice-President of her senior class, graduating from Halls Memorial High School of Buckner in 1932. She received a scholarship for Warrensburg Central Missouri State University and received her State of Missouri Teachers Elementary Certificate in 1934. She returned to Jackson County to teach 2 years in District II, Reber and Combs Schools. She left teaching and married James W. Slaughter on June 21, 1937. Dora has been a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for more than 60 years. She served as an officer in Ft. Osage Chapter from 1950-1958. “Christmas With Dora” was a tradition in the Chapter. She welcomed the members into her historic home, prepared cookies, served punch, and shared stories of the history of her home. Dora transferred to the Independence Pioneers Chapter and was recognized in September 2009 by the Missouri State Regent and the Independence Pioneers Chapter Regent for 60 years of dedicated service. She was a member of the Mary Paxton Study Class; Knife and Fork Club; National Frontier Trails Center; Chapter #5081 AARP, and Buckner Red Hatter Roadrunners. One of Dora’s hobbies was oil painting. She donated one of her landscapes to the Buckner First United Methodist Church for their raffle. She was dedicated hand quilter, working for years with the Busy Fingers (quilters) at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Independence. In 1990, this group of friends (including Dora) completed a 68 block sampler quilt designed by Kathy Glasco for the National Frontier Trails Center. Each square was sewed together by a person representing an organization, church, or school in Independence. Dora donated her hand pieced quilts to various churches and organizations for raffles. The individuals who won had a great treasure. Dora loved traveling with her dear friend, Mary Jean Clark, throughout the U.S., Russia, Ireland, England, Germany, and Holland. She enjoyed needlepoint projects and displayed her achievements inside her historical home. The house Dora resided in was built in the 1920’s. Dora and James completed extensive renovations and improvements on their home. She enjoyed her vegetable garden as was especially proud of her flowers. In 1966, Dora won the “Golden Broom” award from the Buckner Chamber of Commerce recognizing beautification of improvement of residential or business property in Buckner. Dora had a avid interest in history and genealogy. She was a descendent from the very earliest families in Jackson County. Through the years she donated family artifacts to the Jackson County Historical Society and to Buckner First Christian Church. She was recognized in a newspaper article in the Gazette Weekly in 2000 as the oldest female resident born in Buckner and living within the City limits. Dora was preceded in death by her husband, James, of 43 years. She is survived by a niece, Sharon Slaughter Holt and husband Don and family, niece, Joan Merrill, and family; cousins and families. Dora was admired as a role model and survivor who met the challenge of macular degeneration directly. She had to forego many of her hobbies, but adapted and changed her focus to other activities. After her husband died, she lived independently in her home for 32 years. With the aid of a reading machine, she was able to read papers daily. She followed her historical interests and social activities. After relinquishing her drivers license, her many friends in Buckner and Independence communities provided support with their calls, cards, letters, and transported her to activities, allowing her to maintain her independent life style. The support of friends who did housework, errands, and completed work projects at her request for many years, enabled Dora to remain in the home she so dearly loved. The dedication and caring from these individuals was deeply appreciated by Dora and she was thankful for each of you who preformed these acts of kindness to her. At Dora’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Six-Mile Baptist church. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Speaks Buckner Chapel; 300 Adams, Buckner, MO. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Buckner Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks

Buckner Chapel)