Clara Grace Stanly Spence's Obituary
Clara Grace Stanly Spence, 89, of Rosepine was called home on Friday, March 7, 2014 at Byrd Memorial Hospital in Leesville.
She was born on Belview Road, Leesville, LA. on Nov. 14, 1924 to parents Clara Stephens and Major Finly Stanly. She grew up in Leesville, graduating from Leesville High School in 1941. She continued her education at Northwestern State College where she received a degree in Vocational Home Economics. She then started her teaching career at Rosepine High School. Later she became one of the first females in the parish to earn a Master’s Degree in Education by attending summer sessions at the University of Arkansas.
She taught Vocational Home Economics at Pitkin High School for many years. It was the highlight of a young girl’s life when she received a bridal shower given by Mrs. Spence. After retiring from teaching she and her husband moved from Pitkin to Rosepine, where she and her husband enjoyed the hobby of raising Beef Master Cattle.
She was active in the First Baptist Church of Pitkin and then also at Diamond Baptist Church. She was a member of the Retired Teacher’s Association. She also was a 64 year member of the Beta Sigma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma where she served as past president of Sigma Chapter in 1960-62. She was known as an excellent cook and seamstress. She was a beloved member of her church, her community and her family.
She is survived by her nieces, Brenda and husband, Charles Bealer of Leesville; Becky and husband, Vince King of Denton, Texas; Sarah and husband, Kevin McKinney of Denton, Texas; Liz and husband, Tom Driggers of Reston, Virginia and Ruth and husband, Charlie Salvaggio of Tokyo, Japan ( permanent residents of Columbia, Maryland).
First Cousin: Thelma Ruth Stephens Childs and husband, John O. of Tyler, Texas.
Special In-laws: Archie Spence, Lucille Spence and Betty Jo Spence Anderson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Jackson Spence;
son, Stephen Jackson Spence and brothers, Finly Stephens Stanly and Thomas Jackson Stanly.
Visitation will be at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Mon., March 10th. Funeral services will be at Diamond Baptist Church in Rosepine, LA on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Lewis Cemetery, under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of DeRidder, LA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Diamond Baptist Church or the Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 1014 DeRidder, LA 70634.
What’s your fondest memory of Clara?
What’s a lesson you learned from Clara?
Share a story where Clara's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Clara you’ll never forget.
How did Clara make you smile?