Missionary Sandra Ruth Slider (Menefee) was born May 3, 1951, in Portland, Oregon to Rev. Robert L. Menefee and Mary L. Menefee. Sandra was the fourth child of their seven children. She was raised in the King Neighborhood in NE Portland where throughout her youth she excelled in school and church activities at Gethsemane Church of God In Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) – her home church where her father pastored. Sandra graduated in 1969 from Jefferson High School.
After high school, she dedicated 30-years of service at Pacific Northwest Bell/U.S. West Communications (Qwest). In 1975, she married the late Deacon Ronald D. Slider, and celebrated 41 years of marital love. They made Gresham, OR their home, while raising three children – Andre Pennington (preceded her in death in 2018), Jermaine Slider and Latausha Branch (Slider). Sandra worked vigorously supporting her father’s ministry to grow the church and serve the community. She devoted her time to honoring the footprints and footstep of her father and mother.
Missionary Slider was a strong woman of faith, she believed wholeheartedly in God no matter the circumstances, and simply wanted to see souls saved. She embodies elegance and had deep love for church, the preached word of God, fashion, and designer hats. Missionary Slider enjoyed sewing and often making clothing for her entire family, taking family vacations, traveling to the Oregon coast, particularly to Lincoln City, and watching sporting events, including basketball which was her favorite.
In 2016, after she and Ronald both retired, they joined their daughter Latausha and her husband Kyrus Branch in Texas to pursue their love of family, attending church, and enjoying delicious southern soul food.
In 2017, after losing her husband Ronald, Missionary Slider joined Cathedral of Faith C.O.G.I.C., Euless, TX, where she served under Bishop James E. Hornsby, Prelate, Texas Northeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. The Cathedral of Faith church family welcomed her with open arms providing unwavering love and support over the many years.
The Lord called Missionary Slider home unexpectedly on September 6, 2024, where she lived in Arlington, Texas.
We shall miss her from our family but, we know that God, in His Great Wisdom, never fails.
Missionary Slider is preceded in death by her parents, Robert L. Menefee and Mary L. Menefee; brothers Charles Lee Menefee, Charles Menefee, Winfred Menefee, Robert Menefee, Raymond Menefee; husband Ronald D. Slider; and son Andre D. Pennington.
She leaves to forever cherish her memory with: her children Jermaine Slider (Portland, OR) and Latausha Slider-Branch (Kyrus) (Arlington, TX); step-daughter Felicia Slider (Houston, TX), sister Patricia Menefee (Portland, OR); brother Gerald Menefee (Portland, OR); aunt Lizzie Mae Punch (Fort Worth, TX); grandchildren: Yanieke Jones (East Chicago, IL), Adrian Pennington (Portland, OR), Jaquan Pennington (Portland, OR), Andre Pennington, Jr. (Portland, OR), Andrea Pennington (Atlanta, GA), and Olivia Slider (Portland, OR); a host of great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, many family and friends.