Dr. Robert Wesley Slate, M.D., age 83 of Toccoa, Georgia, passed away Friday, September 3, 2021 at his home.

Born January 9, 1938 in Atlanta, Georgia, he was the son of the late George Washington Slate and the late Hazel Corene Freeman Slate. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and was a retired surgeon. Dr. Slate very much enjoyed spending time with his family and on his farm. He found relaxation in planting and maintaining his gardens. He loved and took special care of all of his animals.

Dr. Slate graduated from Murphy High School in Atlanta, from college at Emory University, and from the Emory University School of Medicine. He served a year's internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by four years additional training in General Surgery at the United States Naval Hospital, Balboa, in San Diego, California. He served in the United States Navy for a period of eight years and achieved the rank of Commander, USN. He was with the Combat Seabee Battalions and the United States Marine Corps in East Asia, including the United States Naval Hospital in East Asia, as well as, the United States Naval Hospitals in Guam, Okinawa, and the Republic of Vietnam. He served on the United States Naval Hospital Ship known as the "Repose". Dr. Slate served as the Chief of Surgery at the United States Naval Hospital in Orlando, Florida for two years before he began a fulltime practice at the Toccoa Clinic when his family moved to Toccoa, Georgia in 1971. Ultimately, he began his own clinical practice which included working in the local area hospitals serving the entire northeast Georgia Community for in excess of thirty years. He was a dedicated member of the local Hospital Authority and the Stephens County Board of Health. He was proud of his work to insure a thriving local Hospital in Toccoa Georgia.

Family members include his children and their spouses, Robert Wesley Slate, Jr. and Kelley of Moore, South Carolina, Elizabeth Ann Slate Cook and Don of Atlanta, Georgia, George Brian Slate and Connie of Madison, Georgia, and Benjamin Wade Slate and Emily of Toccoa, Georgia. He is survived by Nine Grandchildren as follows, Clay Cook, Kitty Cook, Hampton Slate, Preston Slate, Juston Slate, Mackinlee Slate, Caroline Slate, Davis Slate, Molly Slate; and his special friend Betty Lyon Flowers.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Hampton Slate.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider donating in honor of Dr. Robert W. Slate, M.D. to any of the following; Stephens County Hospital, The Humane Society, or the American Cancer Society.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 12 noon until the service on Friday, September 10, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at two o'clock Friday, September 10, 2021 at Roselane Cemetery with the Reverend Jerrell Beatty officiating. Dr. Slate's Grandsons will serve as pallbearers and his granddaughters as honorary pallbearers.

Burial will follow with Military Honors provided by the United States Navy and by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4346.

The family would like to thank Dr. Harry McDonald, Dr. Stephen Pinkerton and staff, Dr. Marc Coan, Teressa Ivey and the entire staff with Amedisys Hospice for their enduring and wonderful care provided to Dr. Slate.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net.

Whitlock Mortuary is honored to be serving the family of Dr. Robert Wesley Slate, M.D.