Obituary of Haywood "Jughead" Slayton

Freddie Haywood Slayton (aka “Jughead”) was born February 5, 1950, in Portsmouth, Virginia to Haywood and Virginia Slayton. Haywood was one out of eight siblings, Nancy Mae, Carolyn, Barbara Ann, Wanda, Carol, Howard “Gill”, and Lynn. Haywood spent most of his childhood years in Shelby, North Carolina with his grandmother Deanna Robinson. While in Shelby, Haywood became a member of the Eskridge Grove Baptist Church where he was baptized. As a young boy, Haywood was gifted with building and fixing things like go-carts, and cars. Haywood enjoyed working hard to earn money, he would do anything to make money honestly even charging his siblings to ride the go-carts he would build. Haywood migrated to Pittsburgh, PA for a few years before settling in Staten Island, New York. Mr. Slayton matriculated through the New York City Public School system and ultimately graduated from Curtis High School. After graduating from high school Haywood was hired as Head of Security for The Ritz Skating Rink in Port Richmond. Haywood’s love and enthusiasm for his job were expressed in his work ethic. He began to really excel and thrive in his duty as Head of Security. Haywood maintained an intense passion for his job and became known as the “no nonsense” security guard. Even with this title, he was highly loved and respected by everyone he met. Jughead maintained this position until the Ritz Skating Rink closed in 1985. As a young man, Haywood was very adventurous; he loved to drive, travel and explore various areas of the country. As a result, Mr. Slayton purchased his own semi-tractor trailer truck and became a long-distance truck driver. This career venture allowed Haywood to fulfill his desire to be in control of his own destiny. He drove all over the United States, met new people and often traveled to Southern U.S. to visit his parents and siblings. His kind, fun, and compassionate personality drew people to instantly love him. Haywood was a truck driver for many years until he met and fell in love with Ruth Wiley in 1983 and later married her in 1989. Haywood and Ruth welcomed their son Haywood Jr. into the world on December 8, 1992. With this new responsibility of wife and son, Haywood ended his trucking business and began another career at The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) where quickly excelled up the ranks to Supervisor. On September 11, 2001, Haywood worked at the World Trade Center as one of the Supervisors and was onsite when the Twin Towers collapsed. Haywood was injured as a result of the explosion however, this didn’t stop him from reporting to work at “ground zero” every day for months. Subsequently, Haywood developed an acute lung condition which over the years, progressively worsened forcing him to become permanently disabled. Oftentimes during the spring and summer months, Haywood would spend hours on his porch talking and waving to everyone who walked by greeting them with his infamous words “Alright Alright Alright”. Mr. Slayton was a proud member of Fellowship Baptist Church led by Senior Pastor Archibald. He loved attending church and fellowshipping with his church family so much, he had the name of the church painted on his truck. Haywood was known as the Mayor of Grandview. He will truly be missed. Haywood is survived by his loving wife Ruth, his sister, Barbara Ann; his children, Lynetta, Freddie, Haywood and, his bonus daughters, Michelle and Andrea. He also leaves to cherish precious memories, twelve grandchildren, five great grandchildren and a host of nieces nephews, cousins extended family and friends including Dickie Bellamy, the men of Mariners Harbor and the Grandview Avenue community. Visitation at the Matthew Funeral Home, Inc., 2508 Victory Boulevard, on Friday from 3:00 - 7:00 pm. Visitation at the International Christian Center, 1501 Richmond Avenue, on Saturday, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Funeral service will be celebrated at 10:00 am at the International Christian Center. Interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery.