Marti B. Slife

Marti Jo Black Slife, 89, whose musical gifts and energetic enthusiasm blessed many churches, choirs, and individuals, died April 6, 2025, at Golden Ivy Personal Care Home in Stockbridge, Ga. Marti was born in Atlanta on Nov. 24, 1935, the eldest of four children in a Methodist pastor’s family. Soon thereafter, she learned that Methodist pastors (and their families) were subject to being relocated every several years: Marti grew up in Buchanan, Dalton, Rockmart, Eatonton, and Atlanta. Her musical talents began to blossom early. She started piano lessons in third grade and sang her first solo at age 11 (at the Shiloh Campmeeting in Carollton). In high school, Marti sang in several music groups that won statewide competitions. After moving with her family from Eatonton to Atlanta at age 16, she enrolled at Atlanta’s Sylvan Hills High School. Despite being a newcomer, she was elected senior class president. Marti earned a B.A. in Music at Decatur’s Agnes Scott College. Years later, she received a joint Master’s degree in Sacred Music from Georgia State University and the Candler School of Theology. In 1955, Marti married Bil (William F.) Slife of Atlanta and settled in the Capitol View area of Southwest Atlanta, where they raised three children and were active in church and community. As a Minister of Music in the Methodist Church’s North Georgia Conference, Marti served as a church music director while teaching part-time at Atlanta’s Clark College and offering private voice lessons from her home. She sang with the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, the Choral Guild of Atlanta, and Opera Atlanta and she was a featured guest soloist at Peachtree Presbyterian Church. She also led Girl Scout Troop 741 for seven years. After moving with her family to Jonesboro in 1974, Marti became the director of the Clayton (County) Community Chorus. Later, she served as the director of the Lafayette Singers in La Grange and the Henry (County) Community Chorus. In 1977, Marti was consecrated a Diaconal Minister (a lay deacon) in the United Methodist Church. In the 1990s, she was ordained a Permanent Deacon (clergy) and served as an associate pastor at Jonesboro UMC. Following her retirement in 2001, she was a minister of visitation for the Jonesboro congregation, diligently sending cards and regularly visiting ill or homebound church members. She also served as chaplain for the Jonesboro United Methodist Preschool Program. During her long church-music career, Marti served seven North Georgia United Methodist congregations, including Capitol View, Cascade, Morrow, Jones Memorial, Fairburn, LaGrange First, and Jonesboro. She co-founded the North Georgia Music and Worship Arts Camp, which was held annually for almost 50 years, and assisted with music and planning for countless church conferences, revivals, and workshops. After retiring from full-time work, she directed the handbell choir at McDonough Presbyterian Church for more than a decade. In addition to Marti’s love of music, she maintained a lifelong passion for swimming and participated in water aerobics at the Steve Lundquist Aquatic Center in Jonesboro well into her 80s. Marti was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years and brothers John Walter Black and James Jackson Black. She is survived by a sister, Elizabeth Barrett; daughter, Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Snipes; sons, John and Joseph Slife (Joye); grandsons, Gideon, Reuben, and Jared Slife; granddaughter, Lindsay Snipes Martin (Gabe); and great-granddaughter, Emmy James Martin. A Memorial Service will be held at Jonesboro First United Methodist Church, 142 S. Main St., Jonesboro, on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Marti’s memory to JUMPP—the Jonesboro United Methodist Pre-School Program. Online donations can be made via www.jonesboroumc.com/give/

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Marti B. Slife

November 24, 1935 - April 6, 2025