Barbara Elaine Griggs Slater

Barbara Elaine Griggs Slater, 85, of Pampa, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on November 12, 2026. She passed away surrounded by what mattered most to her - her family.

Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at the Highland Baptist Church with Pastor Andy Biles, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 to 7:30 PM on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.

Born to the late Margaret “Betha” Elizabeth Wicker and George Ernest Griggs on March 4, 1941, in Mullen. Barbara lived a life defined by her love for her family, her open kitchen door and her love of traveling with her devoted husband, Joseph “JW” Wayne Slater.

“Barbie” (as her husband referred to her) was the heart of the home, filling the house with the aroma of homemade jellies, her famous hot sauce and the busyness of canning in the late summer, of her grand Southern breakfasts, Thanksgiving dishes and her Christmas candies! She worked diligently beside her husband on their farm in Clarendon before returning to Pampa.

She graduated in 1959 from Pampa High School. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Washington DC to attend school to become a flight attendant. She later worked for the Army Retirement Services Office (RSO) in Connecticut. She moved to California and Oregon before returning to Pampa. Barbara worked at Cabot and retired from IRI in 1995. “Grammy” or “MiMi” to her grandchildren, she loved playing board games, cards, and dominos; and often summoned her grandkids to the table with her, “I guess so…” which meant she wanted to play a game. Barbara had a reputation of always winning, too! She loved to crochet and after many hours of work she often shared her afghans with family and friends. Barbara left a legacy of family genealogy that she thoroughly researched over several decades. She was a member of Highland Baptist Church. Barbara also spent many hours donating her time and service to the Pampa evening Kiwanis and the Pampa Crime Stoppers.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Joseph “JW” Wayne Slater; her children, DiDi Hansen Houghton of Amarillo and Dan Hansen of San Marcos; step-daughters, Jodie Weatherly and Rhonda Rogers; seven grandchildren, Nathan Kirkland, Joseph Kirkland, Shayna and husband Shelton Watson, Cherish and husband Brent Scott, Cade Houghton and wife Eve, Tiara Guillery, and Andrew Hansen; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom never left her home without plenty of smiles, hugs & loving resistance about them leaving! She always wanted all her family close by.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Betha Griggs; sister, Verna Marlene Griggs Riddle; brothers, Max Lynn Griggs, Ernest Calvin Griggs, Elton David Griggs; stepdaughter, Majuanta Slater; nephew, Steven Ray Thornton; niece, Cherish Griggs; and great-niece, Kirstie Heinen. Barbara was the last of her siblings to pass from this world and most assuredly is having a grand family reunion! To say she will be greatly missed is an understatement!