Gerald Wayne "Rat" Hayslett, age 70, of 3630 Oakridge Road, Fincastle, VA, died Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 142 Oak-N-Thorn Way, Clifton Forge, VA.

He was born October 2, 1938 in Dagger Springs, Virginia, a son of Laura Elizabeth Larman Hayslett and the late William Kermit Hayslett.

He served in the United States Navy and was a laborer for Turner Construction.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Jean Hayslett in 1997.

He is survived by his mother, Lara Elizabeth Larman Hayslett of Clifton Forge; two daughters, Jolynn Dare Browning of Fredericksburg and Vickie Vaughan Daniels of Stafford; two sisters, Brenda Gayle Hayslett-Daniel and husband, Barry of Clifton Forge and Julia Leona Hayslett Steese and husband, Fred of Wisconsin; five brothers, Ronald Elliott Hayslett and wife, Lynda, Gary Scott Hayslett and wife, Shirley, Wade Franklin Hayslett and wife, Joyce, Farron Eugene Hayslett, and Mitchell Cory Hayslett and wife, Vicki, all of Clifton Forge; six grandchildren, Daniel Terry and wife, Maria, Christopher Browning and wife, Toni, Nathaniel Browning, Philip Wade Daniels, Taylor Ernestine Daniels, and Rylee Inez Daniels; three great grandchildren, Page, Erin, and Marlee, and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Bill Dillon and Reverend Barry Daniel officiating. Interment will follow in Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery, Clifton Forge. The family received friends on Saturday evening at Nicely Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to The American Cancer Society, Alleghany Highlands Division, C/O Karen Buzzard, 807 McCormick Boulevard, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.