Dorothy Spear

Dorothy Mildred Spear was received into the arms of Jesus on May 26, 2020. She was born
March 19, 1923 in Cyril, Oklahoma, then spent her childhood in Houston County and the Rio
Grande Valley. She is preceded in death by her husband Everett General Spear, Jr., her son The
Rev. Leslie Edward Spear, her parents Corbett and Rellie Smith, her brother Reagan Smith, her
brothers and sisters-in-law Hawley and Dorothy Spear and Owen and Ethel Spear, nephews
James Smith, Robert, and Glenn Spear, and niece, Mary Evelyn Brandon. She is survived by her
daughter Peggy Beye of Narragansett, Rhode Island; granddaughters Robyn Beye Lentz and
husband Randy, Kelly Beye Clements and husband Daven, Anne Spear, and Elizabeth Spear;
great-grandchildren Amber Johnson and husband Brent, Heather Kinder and husband Josh,
Westmoreland Skipper and wife Brittany, Joshua Christensen, Colton Clements, Pia Rose and
Rocket Spear-Aguilar; great-great grandchildren Maliyah, Alaina, and Davina Johnson, Brooke,
Hilarie and Zachary Kinder, and Noelle Skipper; daughters-in-law Tanya Spear and Jenny Mays
Spear Cunningham; sister-in-law Eleanor Smith, nephews Milton and Danny Spear, niece Linda
Kay Workman, nieces-in-law Suzie Smith, and Carolyn Spear, and best friend Rusty Wilson, and many other family
members and friends.
Mildred was a long-time member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Waxahachie and resident of
Waxahachie for over 60 years. Five generations of Mildred’s family worship at St. Paul’s, where
she was a member of the Daughters of the King and Episcopal Church Women. She was a
former member of Eastern Star. She worked for Russell Moss in Dallas for many years.
Mildred dedicated her life to her family and church. She had a strong faith and a humble heart.
She was a prayer warrior and the family matriarch. Her prayers and love sustained her family,
especially when her family spent so many hours on the road and in school. She and her husband
Everett (Gracky) were married on November 28, 1940 in McAllen and married for 63 years.
They met at church. Everett was friends with the pastor and once he saw Mildred, he told his
friend he had to come back to church the next week to have another look. They were the center
of their family and they loved God, each other, family, and friends. Their mottos were: “Share
what you have.” “Work hard.” “Tell the truth.” Gracky would leave the breakfast table and ask
Grandma what was for lunch. She would give him a look and he would smile, give her a hug,
and off he would go. Their homes in Waxahachie and at Toledo Bend Lake were always open for
Blue Bell ice cream, tacos, enchiladas, cinnamon butter cake, and a soft bed. Grandma had the
strongest arms and gave the best hugs. She always had a word of encouragement, a cup of coffee
ready, and a bright smile and laugh that warmed the heart and lifted the spirit. A private service
of celebration for her life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Waxahachie on October
10, at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Jerry Hill is presiding.