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CAREW SLONE
Carew Slone was born June 9, 1909, the
son of Sam (Summer) Slone and Celinda
Thornsberry.
On July 18, 1929, he married Margaret
Slone, the daughter of Pleasant (Plezzie)
Slone and Mary Amburgey. Ten children were
born to this union: Omrah Phillip, Norma
Lee, Girdell, Ruby Jean, Aurita Farner,
Glenna Faue, Gene Autry, Brady Warren, Ronne
Neal, and Joyce Elaine.
Carew worked initially, and briefly, as a
coal miner, but after graduating with an
associate degree in education from Caney
Junior College, he taught school. However it
was not until the late 1930’s that he found
his true career niche, following his
brothers, Isaac and Nick , as a printer for
Alice Lloyd College and the Caney Creek
Community Center, Carew remained in the
capacity of head printer at the college for
the remainder of his wage-earning years,
becoming a loyal friend and confidant of
both Alice Lloyd and June Buchanan. Under
the tutelage of Alice Lloyd, a former
newspaper reporter, Carew printed the
college fund raising newsletters in addition
to the printing of letters of appreciation
to donors and general printing requirements
of the college.
While Carew worked to provide the
financial means to feed and clothe his large
family, Margaret worked tirelessly in the
home, cooking, washing, cleaning and canning
vegetables, always supportive of Carew’s
work for she, too, shared his commitment to
the college and to the educational
opportunities the school afforded their
family.
Even after the college workday officially
ended, Carew remained on call, frequently
answering a late night summons from Mrs.
Lloyd to please come check some electrical
or machinery malfunction, or ever perhaps
secure medical services for an ailing
student or faculty member. Quite often Carew
had the responsibility for meeting incoming
faculty members and providing them
transportation to the college. He took the
opportunity, on these occasions to acquaint
his passengers with the philosophy of the
college and the behavior standards they were
expected to exhibit. Mrs. Lloyd trusted his
astute judgment of character, and relied on
him often, along with other trusted
employees, in the selection of suitable
faculty members.
William S. Dutton, in his 1954 Readers
Digest publication “Stay on Stranger
made this observation of the dedication of
service to mankind that Mrs. Lloyd inspired
in those around her:
“ one of these is Carew Slone, 45,
Caney’s mountaineer printer, a lean, wiry
man with a touch of rheumatism. He has a
wife and 10 children, and his wages are a
third of what he might make in a town job.
His day begins before dawn, and ends
whenever it may. He takes no pay for the use
of his truck (which is the college transport
corps), though it cost him more than a
year’s wages. Why should he? He asked when I
raised the question.
“Caney’s teaching my children,” he said.
“I’m doing what I can do for it.
“His faith is simple. What Mrs. Lloyd
says can be done, can be done. He doesn’t
doubt.
Some years ago, he told me, Alice Lloyd
was approached by a national manufacturer.
He offered her a salary of $30,000 a year to
quit Caney and become his advertising
manager.
“She’s still here, drawin’ nothing’ a
year,” said Carew. And you ask me why I
don’t ask hire for my truck!”
In 1985, the building which housed the
college print shop was dedicated to Carew,
his father, and brothers, in recognition of
their years of dedicated service to the
college community. This was an honor that
was deeply appreciated by his children who
felt that the gesture epitomized the long
history of the Slone family’s adherence to
the principles of Alice Lloyd and the
college which now bears her name.
Carew and Margaret’s children will tell
you today that the phrase, “drop out of
school” was never allowed to be a part of
their vocabulary. It was simply expected
that they would continue their education
through graduation - no questions asked no
excuses accepted. To this end, six of the
children became educators (some with
advanced degrees), one became a social
worker, one a florist, and two girls
excelled in homemaking - no small
accomplishment in itself.
Carew was a very active member of his
community. As a Boy Scout master he taught
his sons and other young boys the joy of
camping, cooking “pot hole” beans, learning
survival skills, and the simple pleasure of
just being in the woods.
No Christmas on Caney Creek was complete
without Carew playing Santa Claus in Cushing
Hall for all the elementary students. Even
the high school and college students looked
forward to the excitement generated by this
annual holiday event with gifts from the
Center distributed by Santa and a son, his
“little Santa” helper. In the community,
Carew was the person many neighbors and
friends depended on to write up property
deeds, and assist them in their business
communications. He never even considered
charging for these service's, but considered
it simply as one neighbor helping another.
While Carew and Margaret were united in
their determination that their children
would be educated, they were even more
determined to provide spiritual guidance in
the home. This guidance was taught more by
example than through lecture. They were open
minded and tolerant of the beliefs of
others- yet held fast to the doctrine and
beliefs of the Old Regular Baptist.
Margaret joined the church during the
early years of their marriage, and while
Carew did not become a member until later in
life, he had a strong faith and shared the
responsibility for providing a Christian
atmosphere by welcoming the church
congregation into his home for Sunday meal
and Godly conversation.
Thus, their children learned early around
the knees of the preachers who shared their
table, the tenets of the church and the
faith of their parents. Margaret preceded
Carew in death February 3, 1967, at the age
of 57. Carew passed away September 8, 1974,
at the age of 65. It has been impossible to
separate their accomplishments in life for
as the saying goes.., “Behind every great
man is a good woman”, and this surely rings
true for Carew and Margaret, who leave
children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren
and in-laws better people because they were
a part of their life.
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