Mailande Cheney Sledge, 87, died at her home in Greensboro surrounded by her family Jan. 10. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nettie Derina Blanks Cheney and William Taylor Cheney. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Dr. Joe Lambert Sledge. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Annette Cheney Carr and her six children, Mailande Sledge Easley of Starkville, Miss., Anne Sledge Bailey (Whitelaw) of Newbern, Mary Sledge Spencer (David) of Pascagoula, Miss., Joe Lambert Sledge Jr. (Cecile) of Greensboro, Sara Virginia Sledge Dean (Jeffrey) of Orange Park, Fla. and William Cheney Sledge (Sharon) of Greensboro. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren , Joel Edward Easley (Kimberly), Laura Alexandra Easley, Rebecca Cheney Easley, John Wilkinson DeWitt (Lisa), Robert Daniel DeWitt (Leigh), Dr. David Lamar Spencer Jr. (Amy), Dr. James Christopher Spencer (Anke), Edward Wadsworth Spencer, Matthew Edward Slege, Mary Kathryn Dean, April Dean Resnick (Adam), Jeffrey Alan Dean, Amanda Sledge Seale (Benton), William Cheney Sledge Jr., (Ashlyn) and Morgan Avery Griffith. She is also survived by 11 great grandchildren, Luca Alexander Easley, Kai Sledge Easley, Mailande Palemire DeWitt, John Matthew DeWitt, Harper Sutton DeWitt, Brannon David Spencer, Taylor Sledge Spencer, Johannes Christopher Spencer, Bradley Alan Yancey, Leia Resnick, Wallace Cheney Sledge , and her nieces and nephews , Lida Payne Rudder, Dr. James Hobson Payne, Julie Carr Seiber, Lucy Carr Hubert, Deena Carr Hanke, Ellen Carr Hollon, Patricia Carr Adams and Thomas Cecil Carr. Mailande was born Aug. 15, 19234 in Luverne. She spent her childhood years in Andalusia, Demopolis, Montgomery and Selma before her family moved to Livingston where she graduated from Livingston High School in 1941. Mailande attended college at Livingston University and Alabama Polytechnic Institute. Years later, her continuing thirst for knowledge and education caused her to return to college and, in 1969, she complete her Bachelor of Arts degree from Judson College. She finished her Master of ARts degree from the University of Alabama in 1972 and her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Alabama in 1985. She taught English at Greensboro High School in 1970 and later taught English at Marion Military Institute from 1975 until her retirement in 1992. Post retirement, she filled in briefly at Judson College and later she tutored a local literacy student. Mailande was a member of First United Methodist Church in Greensboro where she served her beloved church faithfully as an adult Sunday school teacher, choir member for over 65 years and and member of the Jewel Circle of the United Methodist Women. She was a charter member and participated actively in the Calliope Club for 63 years, serving as president of the club for five years. For over 60 years she was an active member of the Greensboro Music Study Club. She served as an officer in both auxiliaries of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association. Her hobbies included traveling to Europe and across the United States, attending plays at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, playing bridge with friends, serving on the board of Alabama Humanities Foundation and making and keeping friends for decades. Dr. Mailande Sledge ill always be remembered for her involvement in the lives and activities of the people of Greensboro, her determination and persistence in completing any job she had accepted, her love for family and friends and students, and her pride that her six children graduated from college and became contributing members of their communities. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Greensboro with Rev. David Pierce officiating. Burial will follow at the Greensboro Cemetery with Kirk Funeral Homes Greensboro Chapel directing. The family requests that donations be made to First United Methodist Church Choir Fund, P.O. Box 555, Greensboro, AL 36744. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and her nephew, Dr. James Hobson Payne. Kirk Funeral Home Greensboro Chapel will be directing.