TOWNSEND - Dorothy M. Slaughter, of Townsend, passed away Fri., Dec. 31, 2010, in St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington. She was 88. She was born to the late James Frederick and Clara Melvin. Mrs. Slaughter was a seamstress for General Clothing in Smyrna for many years. When she was younger, Dorothy and her sister Glenda traveled to various Churches to sing and were known as the Melvin sisters. Dorothy would play the banjo, and Glenda would play the guitar. Dorothy enjoyed music throughout her life and also play the organ and piano. Dorothy's passion was her poetry. She wrote poems for individuals at special times in their lives. She also loved to oil paint, and had a beautiful flower garden every year. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Dale P. Slaughter; siblings, Oliver Melvin, Alvah Melvin, Althea Baker, James "Luke" Melvin, Ethel Peterson, Glenda Tribbitt, and Ira Melvin. She is survived by her husband, Edward Slaughter of Townsend; daughter, Darlene Slaughter of Newark; daughter in-law, Vada J. Slaughter; grandchild, Bradley D. Slaughter; and brother, Joseph B. Melvin of Felton. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 5, 2011 at the Calvary Wesleyan Church in Harrington. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 South DuPont Hwy., Harrington. Interment will be at the Barratts Chapel Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Melvin Funeral Home, Harrington, DE.