Henry Thaxton Slaughter
JANUARY 9, 1927 – NOVEMBER 13, 2020

Henry Thaxton Slaughter was born on January 9, 1927 and passed away on November 13, 2020

Bio
By 1958, Slaughter had joined the Weatherford Quartet at Rex Humbard's Cathedral Of Tomorrow in Akron, Ohio, joining a fellow former Stamps Ozark member, Glen Payne. After three years, he became the music director at the Cathedral of Tomorrow. Henry and his wife Hazel were on the staff there when they recorded their first two record albums. In 1963, Slaughter left his position at the Cathedral Of Tomorrow to help Jake Hess form the Imperials. He remained with the Imperials for three years, serving as pianist, arranger and featured songwriter.

After his stint with the Imperials, Slaughter worked part-time for a church in Nashville, Tennessee and worked as a keyboard artist in a recording studio. He then joined the Bill Gaither Trio where he remained for about seven years.

After leaving the Gaither Trio, Slaughter continued as a recording studio session player in Nashville and produced gospel records in his own recording studio. Henry and his wife Hazel pursued a vigorous touring and recording career throughout the 1970s and 1980s, billed as Henry and Hazel Slaughter. They retired from the road in 1990.

Henry recorded more than 25 albums, many on the Benson Heartwarming label, and he wrote more than 200 gospel songs including the classics "I've Never Loved Him Better Than Today", "Lonely Mile", What a Precious Friend is He", "Then the Answer Came", "To Be Like Jesus", and "If the Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side". Many of his songs were recorded by various artists including, Connie Smith, Red Foley, Mahalia Jackson and Elvis Presley.

The Slaughters have remained active where they live in the Nashville area. They have made numerous appearances with the Bill Gaither Praise Gatherings and have been featured on the Gaither Homecoming Series.

Best Instrumentalist (1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977)
Gospel Music Hall of Fame as a member of the Imperials.
Grand Ole Gospel Reunion's Piano Roll of Honor
SGMA Hall Of Fame (2006)

Henry lived a life full of many accomplishments and fulfilling his dreams. He was a loving father and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed.

Private services will be held, and burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn/henry-slaughter-9903791

Article from Nashville News.