Phyllis Spears

PHYLLIS ANN RIDDLE SPEARS, age 81, took her seat in the Lord’s choir on December 31, 2014. She was born in Johnson City Tennessee, on May 2, 1933. She attended Science Hill High School in Johnson City, where she graduated as valedictorian. Phyllis earned a Bachelors of Music Education and a Bachelors of Music with Voice Principle both from Indiana University, in 1954 and 1955 respectively, where she graduated with honors. She was an accomplished musician and teacher. She moved from Johnson City to Texas City, Texas, in 1956 to start her teaching career. In Texas City she met Joe Riddle, her first husband, and many other Texas City and Union Carbide friends with whom she remained lifelong friends. She taught primary and secondary music in Texas City, as well as in Charleston, West Virginia, and Houston, Texas, where she has had her home for 46 of the last 48 years. In Houston she taught for several years at Holy Spirit Episcopal School. There she and her fellow teachers created elaborate, highly entertaining and educational musical programs for the students. She also taught hundreds of students in private voice and piano lessons over the decades. Almost every afternoon from, the 1960’s to the 1980’s the house was filled with song and music with Phyllis’s teaching.

Phyllis was a long time member of Memorial Drive Christian Church (MDCC). The church has meant much to her and her family. During that time she has been a talented and dependable member, and occasional interim director, of the Chancel Choir, and participated in the Singing Belles women’s vocal group. She was also active in the Fonn Villas Women’s Club, Houston Symphony League, and Memorial Woman’s Club Bridge Group.

Phyllis is survived by her three children, Al Riddle and his wife Julie of Houston, Carol Cowand and her husband Lyle of Katy, Texas, and Jennifer Brock of Seattle, Washington, four step children, Jack Spears and his wife Mary Ellen of Winter Springs, Florida, Stuart Spears and his wife Debbie of Kingwood, Cindy Hunley of Spring, and Mark Spears and his wife Lisa of Morgantown, West Virginia, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Alan Hardin of Gainesville Florida, and her sister-in-law Deloris Dees of Lenoir City Tennessee, as well as numerous nieces and nephews all of whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents Primus and Zella Lois Dees, her brother Dr. Hoyt Dees, and her sister Betty Hardin, her first husband, Joe Riddle, with whom she enjoyed 22 years of marriage, primarily focused on raising a family and teaching, and then by her second husband Walter Spears, with whom she enjoyed life for 17 years, traveling the world.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Phyllis on Friday, January 9, 10:30a.m., at Memorial Drive Christian Church. A visitation will also be held at MDCC Thursday January 8, from 5 – 7p.m. Flowers can be arranged through Colony Florist, 713.468.9676. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Phyllis Spears Memorial Fund, Memorial Drive Christian Church, 11750 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas, 77024 or to the Scleroderma Research Foundation, www.srfcure.org.