With humble respect, Sewell Mortuary in Grantville announces the transition of James Slaton on April 4th, 2025.

Funeral service will be at Mt Sinai Baptist Church at 1:PM on April 12th, 2025.

Viewing will be on Friday the 11th from 4 to 6 PM at Sewell Mortuary.

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, James Slaton transitioned to glory on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 8AM. He was known by his family and friends for his humility and kindness, and as a quiet man who listened more, spoke less and prayed much. He lived a purpose-driven life, and was honored to represent his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

James Slaton was born to the late Wilbert and Kate Hood Slaton on April 29, 1950. As humble as he was, he was a part of the draw to the ball diamond in Alvaton on weekends because he was a great baseball player. Whenever he, his brothers, TH and WF, his brother-in-law, Thornton Parks, Willie C. Compton, Joe Henry Pope, Jerry and Stewart Wimbish, Steve Parks and Guy Pope, Sr., were on the field, the other team was in trouble. They made Alvaton famous and put us on the map. On weekends, you could barely drive through by the ball diamond…they brought so much excitement to the community of Alvaton! If you knew James (aka Tootsie), you know he loved to fish – catch them and eat them! His favorite place was sitting on a bank of the river or in a boat with a fishing pole.

James Slaton was a hard worker and throughout his life worked for various companies like Delta Airlines in Atlanta, Georgia, HiBrands Foods and Fasson Avery Dennis in Peachtree City, Georgia, and Huddleston Elementary School in Peachtree City, Georgia, and other schools in the Fayette County School System.

James Slaton was married to the late Annie Doris Alexander Slaton for 51 years. He served faithfully as her support and partner in life until her death on January 29, 2022. James and Annie loved music and faithfully served as music directors of the Gospel Vision at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. Not only did they teach music to the children, but they taught them the Word of God! He also mentored and taught many others who had a desire to learn how to play the lead and base guitars; but his favorite was the lead guitar which he played for Gospel Vision, the Dixie Aires and whenever asked to help! James and Annie found ways to serve and to be a blessing to others. They even served by growing vegetables and sharing them with family and the community. James had the heart of a servant, and he served any way that he could – whether a kind word, praying with someone, or sharing vegetables, he found a way to show the love of God.

When Rev. Amos Alexander started the Dixie Aires, James joined the group. The early members of the group were "Big John" Jackson, Willie C. Compton, Melvin Talley, Gene Talley, Henry Sinkfield, James Slaton, Roger McDowell, "Knocky" Melson and Ernest Melson, and they began singing wherever they had an opportunity to sing about the goodness of God. In 1979, Big John and the New Dixie Aires eventually did their first album recording entitled, "If You Need A Friend."

He leaves his legacy and to cherish his memories his children – Sherease Slaton; James Slaton, Jr; and Gabriel (Jesseka) Slaton; his grandchildren – Keyante Slaton, Danterrious Slaton and LeKeisha Birts; and great-grandchildren – Elijah Slaton, Malakai Slaton, and Messiah Leach; his sisters, Lizzie Ruth Slaton, Ida Mae Barber, Diane Slaton Walker; a brother, Willie Lee Slaton; sisters-in-law, Missionary and Elect Lady, Loretta Slaton, Dorthy Mae Parks, Linda Kendall, Shirley Owens, Katie Alexander, Elaine Alexander; brothers-in-law, Amos Alexander, III and Eddie Kendall; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his loving wife and partner for life, Annie Doris Alexander Slaton; his father and mother, Mr. Wilbert and Kate Hood Slaton; his step-mother, Lizzie Slaton; his father and mother-in-law, Rev. Amos and Thelma Alexander; his six (6) sisters, Lizzie Kate Slaton, Willie Kate Slaton, Willie Mae Slaton, Johnny Mae Leach, Ira Bell Slaton and Lena Mae Lyon; two (2) brothers, Willie Frank Slaton and Thomas Henry Slaton; sisters-in law, JoAnne Alexander, Annessette Hutcherson and Elizabeth Slaton; and brothers-in-law, Thornton Parks, Stanley Alexander and Selvester Barber.

James Slaton is in Heaven now doing what he loved most – praising God, making music and fishing!

Sewell Mortuary is honored to be entrusted with providing end-of-life services to the family.