Catherine "Katy" Spencer

.Services for Catherine Spencer, 96, of Lubbock, will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2011, in Resthaven’s Abbey Chapel with Rev. Gene Wisdom, officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven. Mrs. Spencer passed away on Thursday, March 10th.

Catherine Clay Cox was born on Nov. 4, 1914 in Dallas. She was the second of four children to William Elias Cox and Mary Ida Clay, rural schoolteachers who raised the family in Henderson County, Texas. A dynamic and strong-willed spirit, she was fondly known as “Katy” by all who knew and loved her.

Considered the matriarch of the family, Katy paved the way for many generations to come when she attended Texas Tech University at the age of 15, later graduating with a degree in Chemistry in 1934 at the age of 19. This Tech Beauty was the first woman in her family to obtain a college degree. She was followed by her mother, Mary Ida, in 1945 (History), her daughter, Ann, in 1962 (Accounting), her granddaughter, Debbie, in 1982 (Psychology) and her great-granddaughter, Haley, in 2008 (RHIM)—five generations of Red Raiders.

Katy had a long and illustrious career in the Medical Technology field. During World War II, she worked in the lab at Reese Air Force Base. When the base closed, she went to work for Ragland Clinic in Gilmer, Texas, for approximately 10 years. She then returned to Lubbock and spent the majority of her career at Methodist Hospital, supervising in the lab in various areas until she retired at the age of 75. During the course of her career, Katy received several recognitions for outstanding achievement and leadership. Her dedication and devoted service at Methodist Hospital inspired her granddaughter, Debbie, to attend the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, obtain her Registered Nurse license in 1984 and work at the hospital for many years before moving to the Dallas area.

At the age of 9, Katy first met James Clarence Spencer in a spelling bee contest in Athens, Texas, where they tied for first place. They met again in a freshman Chemistry class at Texas Tech University and eventually married. James served as a county judge in Athens and also served in the 46th Texas Legislature (1939-40) and again in the 50th Texas Legislature (1947-49). Between tenures, James served as a U.S. Army medic during World War II. He was held for three years in the Philippines after surviving the infamous Bataan Death March. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his heroic and meritorious service. Katy would say she and James were together “almost forever,” having been married 51 years before his death on Christmas day in 2009. They lived a long and happy life together, rarely spending time apart.

Katy was also preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Mary Elizabeth and Martha Enna, and her brother Bill James. She is survived by her loving daughter, Ann and her husband Gene; her stepson, Charles and his wife Anita; her grandchildren Lynn and Debbie; her great-grandchildren Amy, Jenny, Haley, Adam and Scott; great-great grandchildren Caleb and Camryn; and many nieces and nephews. All of Katy's family loved her dearly, but her daughter, Ann, cared for and provided the greatest of love, devotion and support in her final days.

The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation and gratitude to those who cared for Katy in her home over the last few years, a freedom she deeply cherished, having lived in the same charming home for more than 70 years. A special thank you goes to Moiselle Bruns, Renee Reasoner and Home Instead Senior Care.

Throughout her life, Katy had tremendous compassion for animals. In lieu of sending flowers, the family would request monetary donations be made to the The Humane Society of West Texas Lubbock in her honor.

Condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com