Crosby County Justice of the Peace Clyde Davis ruled Tuesday morning (August 17) that Mrs. Olla Belle Slaton, 59, of Roaring Springs, drowned accidentally at White River Lake on August 6.
Judge Davis, of Precinct 2, conducted a hearing into the death last Wednesday but did not make a final ruling until this week when he received the final autopsy report from Dr. John P. Ray, Lubbock.
Mrs. Slaton was found floating in the lake around 10 a.m. on August 6. She was fully clothed, including her shoes. She had driven her car into a restricted area of the lake and parked. She was apparently alone. A lake permit and her driver's license was found in her car.
©The Texas Spur, August 19, 1982
from the records of Lillian Grace NayWoman Drowns At White River
A 59 year old Roaring Springs woman drowned in White River Lake Friday morning, authorities reported.
The body of Ola Belle Slaton was discovered about 30 yards from the shore in 15 to 20 foot deep water at the southeast corner of the lake by lake patrolman Johnnie Holbrooks.
Mrs. Slaton reportedly entered the park at 9:15 a.m. and apparently waded into the lake alone. Authorities report that the depth and temperature of the lake change drastically in that area.
Mrs. Slaton was found fully clothed, and there are no witnesses to what actually happened, said authorities.
She was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Clyde Davis of Crosbyton. Her body was taken to Adams Funeral Home in Crosbyton and was transferred to Campbell Funeral Home in Spur.
©Lubbock Avalanche Journal, August 16, 1982
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
SPUR (Special) - Services for Arnold Slaton, 68, of Lubbock will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist church with the Rev. George Price, pastor, officiating.
He will be assisted by the Rev. Bob Cokerham, associate pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Lubbock.
Burial will be in Spur Memorial Cemetery under direction of Campbell Funeral Home.
He died Monday in Lubbock General Hospital after a lengthy illness.
He was born in Dickens County and had lived in Lubbock for most of his life.
Survivors include two daughters, Darleen Fletcher of Roaring Springs and Kathy Whatley of Lubbock; a son, Bren of Slaton; two brothers, Ben of Glen Rose and Wilmer of Lubbock; four sisters, Gillie Heard and Poll Cato, both of Lubbock, Icie Bethel of Slaton and Chloe Sims of Eunice, NM; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
©Lubbock Avalanche Journal, June 22, 1987
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
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