Memorial services for Von Harold Slay are Friday, March 25, 2016, at 10 a.m. at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Hazlehurst. 

Visitation is Friday, March 25, 2016, from 9 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Mr. Slay, 79, died Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at his residence.

Mr. Slay was an avid Navy storyteller and never met a stranger. He loved a good laugh, a good gathering and enjoyed spending time with his family. His talents in making dental prosthetics have helped many people across Mississippi.

Mr. Slay was a lifelong resident of Copiah County. He attended Hazlehurst High School. He joined the Navy in 1955 and served until his retirement in 1974. During his time in the Navy, he earned a college degree and learned to make dental prosthetics. He was stationed all over the world, including Japan and England and served aboard the Kitty Hawk during Vietnam. Mr. Slay owned and operated Slay Dental Lab from 1975-2004 from his home in Crystal Springs.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Harold A. Slay and Nell Myers Slay, both of Hazlehurst.

Survivors are his wife, Brenda Blakeney Slay of Crystal Springs; sons, Robert “Bob” Slay (Lisa) of Terry and Trey Chapman (Jeanie Carol) of Hazlehurst; daughter, Melanie (Stephen) Byrd of Hazlehurst; grandchildren, Robbie Slay, Travis Slay, Bradley Morris, Bryce Chapman, Preston Chapman and Blakeney Byrd; great-grandchildren, Payton Slay, Kadann Slay and Graham Morris; sisters, Patricia Slay King, Betty Slay Keywood and Debbie Slay Nance, all of Hazlehurst and Ann Slay Weeks of Wesson; brothers, Russell (Jo) Slay of Wesson and James N. “Jimmy” Slay of Crystal Springs; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.