Mary Ellen Spears, 99, passed away peacefully at her home Saturday, October 9, 2021.

She was born in Decatur, AL, July 14, l922 to Andrew D. Wiley and Minnie Lucille (Dodson). Raised in Hazard, KY, she was one of three children. She married Richard Emory Deese in 1946 and they raised three children, Becky, Bill, and Bob. In l974, she married William David Spears.
She attended Hazard HS, Hazard, KY, graduating in 1940 and then went to school at Eastern State University, Richmond, KY. She graduated in l944 earning a BS in Home Economics/Chemistry. She attended Mississippi State College, Starkville, MS graduating in l960 with a MS in Guidance/Chemistry. Later, she earned an EdD in l971 from Auburn University, Auburn, AL in Counseling/Psychology.

Mary Ellen lived a full life of service to God, family, and friends. She was a wonderful, loving mother and this was her primary mission in life. Her work experience was varied: Home Economist Agent, Arkansas Extension Service, Fayetteville, AR; Teacher, Parkin, HS, Parkin, AR, Natchez HS, Natchez, MS, and Leland Consolidated Schools, Leland, MS; Director of Guidance, Starkville City Schools, Starkville, MS and Howard Bishop Jr. HS, Gainesville, FL; Chemistry Teacher, Auburn HS, Auburn, AL; Instructor in Behavioral Sciences, Pensacola Junior College, and Academic Dean, School of Sciences and Social Sciences, Pensacola Junior College, Pensacola, FL.

After retiring in 1990, Mary Ellen loved traveling with her family. She was active in her Sunday School class and enjoyed volunteering with teams in her First Baptist of Pensacola family for Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting dinners, Friends of the Gulf Breeze Library, and Covenant Hospice.

She was richly blessed by her children Becky, Bill (Helen), and Bob; grandchildren Luke, Samuel, Joseph, Timothy, Hannah, Jacob, and Andrew; and 22 great-grandchildren.

A private family service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola NAS, Pensacola, FL at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Baptist Church, Friends of the Gulf Breeze Library, or Covenant Hospice.