Dessie Spears

Dessie Delora (Duvall) Spears was born in Seminole, Oklahoma on June 24, 1918 and died on January 17, 2009 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was the oldest child of William and Mae Duvall. After moving to Nowata, Oklahoma as a small child, she remained in Nowata until 2008, during which time she completed her high school education, met and married Jake Marvin Spears, and had two children. Her husband, Jake, preceded her in death in 1990. Dessie had three younger sisters, Pearl Cunningham and Betty Peters who preceded her in death, and Joan Coffey and her husband Loren Coffey who currently reside in Bernice, Oklahoma. Also preceding her in death was her younger brother, Earl Duvall. Dessie is survived by a daughter, Della Mae Maddox, and a son and daughter-in-law, Marvin Spears and his wife Pat. She is also survived by her grandson, Brad Spears and his wife Lisa, and granddaughters, Kristen Maddox Carter and Stacy Spears Ahmed. Surviving great-grandchildren include Courtney Spears, Ashley Spears, Elizabeth Ahmed, Griffin Carter and Logan Carter. Additional survivors include numerous nieces and nephews. Both Dessie and Jake attended all of their children's activities, always gave their children the proper support for their activities and provided a living example to their children of doing the right thing no matter what diversity was present. After Jake's death, Dessie continued to be a positive influence and avid supporter for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dessie enjoyed cooking, baking pies, canning all types of vegetables and making dill pickles. It was not unusual for her to bake three or more pies a day. Jake worked in the oilfield for thirty-six years and the coal mines for fourteen years. Dessie rightfully took pride in the fact that she always packed Jake a nice meal for lunch. She never sent him a sandwich. Dessie spent lots of time with her son and with her mother fishing various ponds and creeks. She caught lots of fish, but would gladly tell you the story of the day her son caught a fish weighing four pounds and later that same day she reeled in a five and three-quarter pound bass. She could take apart and clean fishing reels, make her own patterns and sew dresses for her daughter while cooking meals, baking pies and teaching her son to play the trumpet. During her 52-year marriage to Jake and following his death, Dessie lived in the same home for a total of sixty-five years. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends but her genuine love, generosity and caring nature for others will live on.

Service Details

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 11:00am, Benjamin Funeral Home

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery