Betty Jane Groce “Mambo” Slater 

April 1, 1941-May 18, 2014 

Mrs. Betty Jane Groce “Mambo” Slater, 73, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2014, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. She was born in Yadkin County on April 1, 1941, to the late Willie Harding Groce, Sr. and Etta Mae Keaton Groce. Mrs. Slater graduated from Courtney High School and was a member of Harmony Grove United Methodist Church. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She retired from the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools as a school bus driver and transportation supervisor. She was known to many children as “Miss Betty” because of the thousands of school children that rode her bus. She enjoyed quilting and sewing. Preceding her in death was a brother, Daniel Lee Groce and a sister, Dorothy Groce Cornelius. Surviving is her husband of 55 years, William “Bill” Slater; two daughters, Jan Bullard (Pat) and Jill Owens (Darren); the love of her life, her special, loving grandchildren, Ryan and Matthew Bullard and Caroline and Sarah Owens; four sisters, Nellie Spann, Shirley Baity, Libby Fulk and Cindy Potts; one brother, Buddy Groce; also surviving are several nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Harmony Grove United Methodist Church with Rev. Greg Freeman officiating. Burial followed at the church cemetery. . In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harmony Grove United Methodist Church, 5041 Styers Ferry Rd. Lewisville, NC 27023 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.