Sledge, Louise

Comments by Sandra Collins

Louise was remarkable cook, an expert seamstress, and a quilter who amazed us, quickly sewing together little quilts of cloth glued into a quilt shape and drawn on at the Wayne Reed Center and making them safe for hanging. She was a faithful part of Margie Roeder’s sewing ministry, making teddy bears and blankets for Wayne Reed children, children taken out of meth homes without toys, and other children in need. I have a special gift from her: three large rectangular plots of brown-eyed Susans that take my breath away every summer. I loved all her flowers and would comment on them every time I was at her house. So…she gave me several boxes of plants she dug up right before they left Brentwood. They are waist-high every summer and a continuing, moving tribute to her generosity. As a member of our life group, Louise was best known as a woman who withstood the terrible illness and death of her son Ken with courage, who struggled with her own illnesses bravely, a woman who sang the praises of her loving daughter-in-law Mary, a woman who prayed continuously for family members in other places, and a person of unshakeable faith. She loved Otter Creek dearly and felt as though she had been liberated when she started worshipping with us.