Mrs. Nancy Ruth Tyson Sledge passed away on July 28, 2016 at her residence.

Mrs. Sledge was born on November 3, 1934 in Five Points, Alabama to the late Dewey Trent Tyson and Sara Lorene Williams Tyson. She was preceded in death by her father on December 6, 1955, her sister, Helen Tyson Reed Cannon on December 14, 1964, her brother, Dewey Winfred Tyson on June 1, 1992, her mother on December 29, 1997 and her sister, Joann Loviz on October 10, 2012.

She is survived by her husband, Alfred Frank Sledge; five sons and their wives, Roger Frank and Angie Sledge of LaGrange, Rickey Wayne and Kristen Sledge of Roanoke, AL., Kenneth Darrell Sledge, David Charles (Terri) Sledge, Phillip Lynn and Kimberly Sledge of LaGrange; nine grandchildren, Sandy Suzanne (Lee) Cobb of Roanoke, AL., Steven Wayne (Valerie) Sledge of Roanoke, AL., Dustin Cee Sledge of LaGrange, Carley Renee (Joey) Harper of LaGrange, Adam Frank Sledge of LaGrange, Phillip Landon Sledge of LaGrange, Gabriel Wayne Sledge of Roanoke, AL., Cason (Jessica) Dreman of Athens and Colby Dreman of LaGrange; nine great grandchildren, Bruce Cobb, John Allan (Trey) Williams lll, (Tre') Ruston and Camdon Wayne Sledge, Olivia Shea Cobb, Lillie Snow Sledge, all of Roanoke, AL., Oaklie Raine Harper, Memphis Reed Harper, both of LaGrange; very special caregiver, Rebecca Parkerson.

Nancy was a dedicated Christian having been baptized a the First Baptist Church of Shawmut at the age of 15. She attended grammar school at Five Points, Alabama. The family moved to Shawmut, Alabama where she attended Shawmut Jr. High and Valley High in Fairfax, Alabama. She was very popular and active as a teenager. She was a Cheerleader for the Shawmut Football Team. On February 16, 1952, she married her childhood sweetheart, Franklin Sledge of Shawmut. The Rev. Maurice Hodges performed the wedding at the First Baptist Church Pastorium in Shawmut. The witnesses were the late Mr. and Mrs. George T. Hollis, the sister and brother in law of the groom, and Ruby Jo Cole, and the late Christine Bruce. After her marriage, she moved to Oxnard, California to be with her husband who was serving in the United States Air Force and stationed at Point Magu Naval Air Station. Later they were transferred to Tinker Air Force Base at Mid West City, Oklahoma.

Their first son Roger Frank Sledge was born on November 10, 1953. Frank was transferred to Landstudl Air Base in Germany while Nancy and Roger returned to Shawmut while he was away. On May 6, 1955, Frank received and honorable discharge and was employed with Independent Life Insurance Company and they moved into their home in Shawmut. Later his work took them to Opelika, Gadsden, Phenix City, Lanett and back to Shawmut.

Nancy taught Special Education at Valley Haven School in Lanett, Alabama. God blessed them with five wonderful sons and all the family, except the baby boy Phillip, became members of Shawmut First Baptist Church. In June of 1970, Frank was called into the Ministry and in August of 1970, they sold a grocery store and put their home on the market and moved to Chipley, Florida to attend Florida Baptist Theological College in Graceville, Florida. The family church membership was moved to Blue Lake Baptist Church in Chipley. Phillip received Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and Pastor Bobby Roan allowed Phillip's dad to perform the Baptismal Services. This was the first Baptism in Frank's ministry.

While attending Baptist Theological College, they served as Pastor and his wife at Damacus Baptist Church in Florala. After graduation, they were called to Handley Avenue Baptist Church (later relocated and renamed) Trinity Baptist Church in Roanoke, Alabama. After eight plus years, they were called to the Franklin Road Baptist Church in LaGrange, Georgia. Their service here as Pastor and wife covered 20 years. Nancy has always been a dedicated wife supporting her husband throughout his ministry, a wonderful mother and a Christian friend to many. She served as the first Director of the Pre-K at Franklin Road Baptist Church.

Visitation will be at the Higgins LaGrange Chapel Funeral Home on Friday, July 29, 2016 from 5-8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Franklin Road Baptist Church, 1424 New Franklin Road, LaGrange. Mrs. Sledge will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. Rev. Andy Buchanan and Rev. Andy Hall will officiate. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memory Gardens on Mooty Bridge Road in LaGrange.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to The Sons of Sledge Alzheimer's Walk Team at 99 Meadowland Trail, LaGrange, 30240 or to Hospice LaGrange at 1510 Vernon Road, LaGrange, 30240. On line condolences may be sent to the family at www.higginslagrangechapel.com.

Higgins LaGrange Chapel Funeral Home, 706-884-7117.