Ruth Laverne Spears

Ruth Laverne Kenner Spears, age 90, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, died peacefully of heart failure January 3, 2016. Raised in Hemphill, Texas where she graduated valedictorian of her high school close, she married Lynn H. Spears in 1944 and lived in Ft. Stockton, Pasadena and Lufkin, Texas before moving to San Antonio in the early 1950’s. Once her two children were in school, Ruth began her studies at San Antonio College and Trinity University. She graduated from Trinity cum laude and began a career teaching fourth grade at Cambridge Elementary in the Alamo Heights District. Retiring after 13 years in order to travel with her husband, Ruth eventually saw most of the world, including Europe, Africa, the Arctic, Antarctica, Australia, and the Far East. An artist, she studied oil painting with several highly respected teachers including Carl Embrey and Clinton Baermann. In her later years she enjoyed visiting with friends at Earl Abel’s, where she often ate lunch.

Her last year of life was spent at The Forum at Lincoln Heights where she made friends among the residents and nursing staff. Ruth loved reading, art, country music, travel, and spending time with her family. A long-time member of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church and the Argyle, she was devoted to her family, generous, and grateful for her blessings. Her favorite motto was “to thine own self be true.”

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Lynn H. Spears, and by her two sisters, Mildred K. Lewis and Dorothy K. Caswell. She will be greatly missed by her survivors: daughter, Patricia Lynn Spears Bigelow (husband Charles), son, Stephen Ross Spears (wife Carol Stuebben); grandchildren Robyn Bigelow Hargrove (husband Robert G.), Bret Thomas Bigelow (wife Sarah Howell), Ross Stephen Stuebben Spears, and five great grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Paul Smith, the staff of The Forum at Lincoln Heights, the staff of University Hospital, and all those who lent their help and support in Ruth’s later years.

A memorial service followed by a reception will take place Thursday, January 7 at 11:00 am at St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 722 Robinhood Place; San Antonio, TX 78209. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church or the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, PO Box 760549; San Antonio, TX 78245-0549.