Carletta Slavens

Carletta Slavens passed away peacefully in her sleep at 3:21 a.m. Monday, August 28, 2023. Carletta was born September 28, 1947, the daughter of William W. Graham and Avilina C. Ward. She grew up in Perry and was a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe.

She married John Slavens on August 23, 1965. They had three children together: Jason Slavens of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Tesa Slavens of Perry, Oklahoma, and Chrystal Collins of Stillwater, Oklahoma; and two-step children: Doug Sharpton of Stillwater, Oklahoma and April Sharpton.

Carletta was one of 16 siblings. She was a grandma to 10 grandchildren: Kasie and her husband Chris Dunagan of Auburn, Maine, Shane and his wife Miranda Mills of Perry, Oklahoma, Alyssa Slavens of Holdenville, Oklahoma, Chase Slavens and Dillion Collins of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Michael and his wife April Bush of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Michella and her husband Michael of Cushing, Oklahoma, Jeannie & Tyler Sharpton of Perkins and Carney, Oklahoma; and GiGi to 17 great grandchildren: Sheldon, Raiden and Paydin, Neaveah, Addison, Laikley, Jenzen, Olivia, Tyler, Emma, Mason, Khatia and Kryon, Gavin.

Carletta loved to be around people and enjoyed their company. Because of this, she was a waitress for 45 years. She ran and owned two restaurants of her own, Rio Cafe in Glencoe, and Perry Sell Barn in Perry, Oklahoma. She also loved to dance and have family dinners.

She was preceded in death by her husband John Slavens; her parents, William and Avilina Graham; one child, April Sharpton; 12 siblings; grandsons: Dustin Collins and Adam Sharpton; and a great grandson, Duane Mills.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, Perry. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home chapel in Perry. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, September 1, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Perry. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Grace Hill Cemetery.