Dr. Francis Wesley Slate

Published 7:42 am Monday, December 2, 2024

Dr. Francis Wesley Slate, age 102, beloved former surgeon and dedicated public servant of Davie County, NC passed away Nov. 27, 2024 at McLeod Seacoast Hospital in Little River, SC.
A resident of 1100 N. Main St. in Mocksville for 66 years, Francis was born Aug. 23, 1922 in Cape Town, South Africa to the late Joseph and Jensina Hansen Slate. Joseph Slate was a Seventh Day Adventist Missionary from Stokes County, NC which explains why Francis had many relatives in North Carolina yet was South African.
Francis graduated from University of Cape Town Medical School in 1947, and in 1948 he married Daphne Ham Slate, who he met while she was in nursing school there.
Francis and Daphne moved to the United States in 1952 where he was a resident at hospitals in West Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida, and California before coming to Mocksville. While in California, he saw an advertisement that two-year-old Davie County Hospital was searching for a surgeon. He took the position in 1958 where he remained until retirement in 1991.
In 1997, his desire to continue serving the community he loved so much led him to run for Mayor of Mocksville, a position he held until 2015. He was a Mocksville town commissioner for 10 years and a county commissioner for 12 years. He also served terms as coroner and medical examiner.
He was involved in numerous local businesses and charitable organizations post-retirement. He was an eager supporter of the Doctors Without Borders program and made multiple trips abroad to help with various efforts.
Francis was a people person. He found great joy in sustaining old friendships and in making new friends. An avid reader, he was astute in local, national, and world news and maintained ability to discuss all three in depth. His rich humor will continue to resonate with anyone who knew him.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by: his wife Daphne; son Bruce Slate; brother Bill Slate; and stepmother Freida Slate.
Survivors include: his daughters, Jillian Gatewood (Stokes) of Sunset Beach, NC and Moira Slate of Clemmons, NC; son Ken Slate (Barb) of Milton, Ga.; cousins Richard Slate (Cathy) of Hickory, NC and Stevie Dozier Slate (Brad), of Matthews, NC; other cousins and relatives; a multitude of friends; and devoted former associates and patients.
A memorial service will be held at Davie Funeral Service in Mocksville Friday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Condolences may be expressed to the family starting at 1 p.m. The Rev. Tim Cove of Greenville, NC will conduct the service. A private interment will be held at a later date at Rose Cemetery in Mocksville.
Francis leaves behind a legacy of kindness, service and unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be considered for: the Davie County Community Foundation, PO Box 546, Mocksville, NC, 27028.
Condolences can be mailed to: Davie Funeral Service, 416 Valley Road, Mocksville, NC in care of The Family of Dr. Francis Slate.