Mary Haden Whatley Springer died May 5, 2018 in Spanish Fort, Alabama. A native of Opelika, she resided in Montgomery from 1952 to 2008 and raised her family there. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 9 at First United Methodist Church, Montgomery, Alabama. Visitation an hour before the service. Private graveside services will be held later at Rosemere Cemetery in Opelika.
Mrs. Springer was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Judge Curtis Howe Springer, Jr. and her parents, John Louis Whatley and Mary Haden Whatley of Opelika, Alabama. She is survived by two sons John Whatley Springer (Glenn King) of Charlotte, North Carolina and Curtis Howe Springer III (Margie Johnson) of Raleigh, North Carolina and by one daughter, Drucilla Springer Oswalt and her husband Joseph Harris Oswalt of Mobile, Alabama; nine grandchildren Lillian Glenn Springer, Mary Haden Whatley Springer, John Whatley Springer, Jr., Joseph Harris Oswalt, Jr. (Hunter Gilpin), Drue Haden Oswalt Sirmon (Forbes), George Guy Oswalt, Margery Scott Springer, Curtis Howe Springer IV, Buford Whatley Springer; and three great grand-children Eleanor Lee Oswalt, Marion Jane Sirmon, and Joseph Harris Oswalt III. She is also survived by her sister Alleda Whatley Coons (Harry J. deceased) and nephews Harry Joshua Coons III and Louis Whatley Coons of Huntsville, Alabama and Dr. John Anderson Coons (Yasmira) and great nephews John Jude Coons and Harry Joshua Coons of St. Louis, Missouri.
Mary Haden attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia and graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where she met her husband to be. She was a dedicated, thoughtful, and loyal friend, kindly remembered for her gracious hospitality and ever-present generosity. She served her community by volunteering and contributing to numerous organizations and charities. She was devoted to the First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, polished brass, and helped prepare for the annual Church Bazaar. She served as president of the Junior League of Montgomery, and was active in her Kappa Delta Sorority, the Society of Colonial Dames of Alabama and others.
Mary Haden’s friendships remained close to her heart. She stayed connected and close to many cousins, lifelong friends, Kappa Deltas, her beloved Sewing Circle, Sojourners, Lunch Bunch, and friends both young and old. She was always hospitable, welcoming, and supportive to so many. Her giving spirit lives on.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church, 2416 West Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, Alabama 36106 or a charity of one’s choice.
The family thanks Gloria Thomas for being a devoted friend and angel, and all of the caregivers and kind staff at Westminster in Spanish Fort, Alabama, for their loving care of Mary Haden.
