Atha Lea Slagle, 83, of Brighton, was born on June 22, 1940, to Robert and Paula Burlison of Arcola, who preceded her in death. She passed away on March 17, 2024, after a brave yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.

Atha graduated from Greenfield High School in 1958. After graduation, she worked at Taylor’s Drive-In of Springfield, until she moved to Kansas City to work for the Encyclopedia Brittanica. She left Kansas City to return home to start the adventure of a lifetime. On March 28, 1960, she married the boy that she used to follow around when she was only 5 years old, and loved until the day she died, Jackie Slagle. Together they had two daughters, Debi and Donna. Atha was a stay-at-home mother, who enjoyed gardening and canning. If you ever tried one of her dill pickles, you were hooked for life. She referred to her hundreds of flowers as “my therapy”. She truly enjoyed cooking for family and friends and was known for her delicious pies with their flakey crusts. When it came to her embroidery work, it was nothing short of amazingly beautiful. But her willingness to give more than she received was what made her the most beautiful soul that she was. She will be greatly missed by all of us.

Atha is survived by her husband, Jackie, of the home; two daughters: Debi Bayer, and her husband, Jim, of Brighton, and Donna Slagle and her partner, Jerry Stevens, of Pleasant Hope; two grandsons: Dustin Osborn of Morrisville and James Bayer of Brighton; two nephews: Dean Revels and his wife, Margaret, of Brighton, and Robert Revels of Morrisville; step-granddaughter, Cassity Bayer, Fair Play, as well as many cousins and beloved friends.

A visitation for Atha will be held at Pitts Chapel Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., a graveside service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Slagle Cemetery.