SFC (RET) Derrick Slaughter, Sr.

Obituary For SFC (RET) Derrick Slaughter, Sr.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

Derrick Wilbert Slaughter Sr., affectionally known as Sprout, was born to Wilbert Slaughter, Jr. and Naomi McCray on July 19, 1967, in Valdosta, Georgia.

He relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at an early age with his mother and stepfather, and he lived there until middle school age. He then relocated back to Valdosta, Georgia, and lived with his grandparents Wilbert and Bertha Mae Slaughter until he graduated high school. While in high school, he was in Navy ROTC for four years, played football for the Valdosta Wildcats for a short stint, then eventually joined the track team. Derrick received a full track scholarship to FAMU but decided to join the U.S. Army instead in 1986 under the delayed entry program. He graduated from Valdosta High School in 1986.

On Thursday, May 2, 2024, he departed this life at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge, Georgia.

Derrick accepted Christ at an early age while attending church with his grandmother at St. Philips A.M.E. He later joined New Testament House of Prayer in Jones, Georgia, and was still a member until his death. He also attended Christ Prayer Deliverance & Outreach Ministries in Allenhurst, Georgia, while stationed at Fort Stewart. Derrick Slaughter, a dedicated soldier, embarked on a remarkable military journey that spanned over two decades. His commitment to service, resilience, and unwavering faith carried him through various assignments, deployments, and challenges.

Let us follow Derrick’s path as he served not only the United States of America, but also the United Body of the Lord. Derrick served at the following duty stations: Fort Knox, KY – The starting point of his military career with basic training in 1986. Fort Polk, LA – His first duty station with the 5th Infantry Division from 1986 to 1988. Germany – A PCS move in 1988 allowed him to serve in Europe until 1989. Panama – Participated in Operation Just Cause from December 1989 to January 1990. Saudi Arabia/Kuwait (Gulf War) – Served with 4-34 AR from August 1990 to February 1991. Germany – Returned post-Gulf War and served until 1992. Fort Stewart, GA – 3/69 AR from 1991 to 1994. Here he met and married the love of his life, Anna Camp Casey. Korea – A PCS move in 1994. Fort Stewart, GA – Returned from 1995 to 1997. Fort Jackson, SC – Attended recruiting school in 1997. Valdosta, GA – Recruiting duty from 1997 to 2000. Camp Casey, Korea 2000 to 2001 with 1-72 AR. Fort Stewart, GA – A PCS move from 2001 to 2002. Iraq – Deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom with 4-64 AR/Task Force 3-15 Infantry from 2002 to 2003. Fort Knox, KY – Served as an instructor/writer at the Armor School from 2003 to 2006 before retiring in 2007. Awards: Derrick’s chest bore the weight of honor: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal (6th Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service, Medal with Bronze Service Star (3rd Award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, NonCommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th Award), Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Presidential Unit Citation, and the U.S. Army Recruiter Badge. After retirement from the U.S. Army, Derrick went to work overseas as a government contractor in Kuwait at Camp Buehring from 2006 to 2018 as an instructor with Engility Corporation.

Derrick was preceded in death by his daughter, Danielle Jackson of Augusta, GA; mother, Naomi Carter of Valdosta, GA; sister, Danette Faye Rentz (Peaches) of St. Petersburg, FL; grandparents, Wilbert and Bertha Mae Slaughter of Valdosta, GA; grandparents, Emanuel and Jeannette Jackson of Atlantic City, NJ; uncle, Emanual McCray, Jr., of Philadelphia, PA; aunts, Mildred Slaughter-Smith, Hazel SlaughterRoberson and JoAnn Slaughter-Melvin; and his cousins, Tracey Slaughter and Raychel Brown, all of Valdosta, GA.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted wife of 31 years, Anna Slaughter of Locust Grove, GA; daughter, Portia (Matthew) Kirkland of McDonough, GA; son, Derrick Wilbert Slaughter, Jr., of Locust Grove, GA; fur baby, ANDE Slaughter of Locust Grove, GA; five granddaughters, Aria Slaughter of McDonough, GA, Blaze Slaughter of Duluth, GA, Carmyn Kirkland of McDonough, GA, and Maliyah and Gabrielle Kirkland of Richmond Hill, GA, three grandsons, Cameron Williams and Cain Council of McDonough, GA, and Christian Kirkland of Richmond Hill, GA; his father, Wilbert Slaughter, Jr., of Valdosta, GA; three sisters, Wanda (Jimmy) Graham, twins, Tamika (Renee) and Shamika (Ronee) Slaughter, all of Valdosta, GA; mother-in-law, Mamie Halsell of Midway, GA; aunts, Maggie (Willie) Roberson and Agnes (Leon) Hillary, both of Valdosta, Gloria (John) McIver of Richboro, GA, Estella Hopkins of Jones, GA, Mahalia (Roosevelt) Johnson, Esther (Benjamin) Jones of Hinesville, GA; uncle, David Grant, Jr., of Hinesville, GA; special cousins raised as siblings, Myrtice (Charles) Gray of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Debra (Alvin) Thomas, Willie (Naomi) Scott Jr., Sharon Fleming, and Wanda Davis, all of Valdosta, GA; sister-in-law Patricia (Courtney) Barham of Midway, GA; brothers-in-law Willie (Leelee) Williams of Hinesville, GA, Major Gregory (Rahsine) Williams, Ret of Newnan, GA and Harold (Cantina) Williams of Hinesville, GA.; close childhood friends Eric Holder, Michael Robinson, and Larry Mallory; military brothers and close friends Ricky Smalls, Eddie Jordan, Freddie Pleasant, Shawn Gibson, Tony Gilbert, Stephon Garrett, Don Baldwin, Allen Roberts, Robert Ford, Stephen Watson, Alex Gould, Larry Morgan, Philip Riddick, Frank Castle, Brian Stewart, Dameon Simmons, David Denson, Lamont Garrison and many, many more; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Derrick will truly be missed by all of his family and friends!

Visitation will be Friday, May 10, 2024 at the Stevens-McGhee chapel from 3PM-6PM.

A celebration of life will be Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 12PM at Union Cathedral Church in Valdosta, GA with Pastor Calvin Williams, officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Visit this website or our Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home Facebook page to view a livestream of the celebration.

Continue to keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.