Berneice Spears

Berneice (Lee) Spears – 2/12/1919 – 1/9/2010



Berneice Spears, a career Missouri elementary school educator, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Center Olathe at 1:30pm Saturday, January 9, 2010. Mrs. Spears graduated from Texas Tech University, married William S. (Bill) Spears in 1942, and after getting her family established she started her long career in 1950 at Noel, MO in McDonald County. Over the years she followed her husband's school superintendent path, alternating between the schools in Noel and Southwest City over almost two decades. In 1967 they moved to Houstonia, and then on to Sturgeon, MO in 1972. She retired from teaching in 1980 and spent many years on their farm outside Sturgeon, tending to the house while Dad played 'hobby farmer' tending cattle. They enjoyed gardening, farming and had an active church life in the Sturgeon Baptist Church.



Mrs. Spears was born at home near Littlefield, Texas February 12, 1919. She was preceded in death by her three brothers and one of two sisters. She is survived by her sister, Lois Short, Plainview, Texas; daughter, Sandra Mailey, Shippensburg, PA; son and daughter-in-law Roger and Susan Spears, Gardner, KS; grandchildren, Kevin (Heather) Spears, Ryan Spears, Lauren (Jamie) Guyer, all in the KC metro area; Shawn (Helena) Mailey, Downingtown, PA; Mark (Dana) Mailey, Columbia, SC; and Sarah Mailey, Shippensburg, PA; and four great-grandchildren.



Visitation will be held at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 143rd & Blackbob, Olathe on Thursday evening, January 14, 2010 from 5:00 –7:00pm, followed by services at Penwell-Gabel at 10:00am Friday morning, January 15, 2010 and interment at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Olathe Medical Center Hospice, Good Samaritan Center Olathe, or a favorite charity.