June Carolyn Spears

Mrs. Spears was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 19, 1930, to her father Paul Edwin Routt and her mother Elizabeth Lucille (Frost) Routt. She is the youngest child and only daughter of six children.

Mrs. Spears is survived by her daughter Cynthia Spears Hipp (Ricky Hipp) of Memphis, Tennessee and grandson Bryce Hipp (Erica Pardue Hipp) of Oakland, Tennessee.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 36 years Wesson Ray Spears. They were married on May 26, 1951. Ray, who served in the U.S. Navy, and Carolyn had one child to whom they devoted their lives.

As a young girl, Mrs. Spears moved from Birmingham to Memphis with her family when her father got a job at Pepsi-Cola. She worked at Sedgwick, formerly E.H. Crump, for 26 years. She was a devoted member of Bellevue Baptist Church and enjoyed attending The Singing Christmas Tree each year. She had a passion for studying the Bible and sharing God’s love with those around her. She never missed an opportunity to point others to Jesus.

Mrs. Spears and her daughter enjoyed spending time in the kitchen making food and treats for the family to share together at the table. She cherished the time she spent at Bryce’s band competitions and performances, volunteering as a chaperone and for uniform fittings and altering. Mrs. Spears loved chocolate, and it was common to see her sneaking little treats. She is survived by her “little angel” dog Nigel, who was a source of comfort and joy to her. She would always say that people should “talk to him [Nigel] like he’s a little angel.”

Nanny was devoted to her family and would often tell stories of her life, recounting both joyous and difficult moments with grace. She viewed life as a series of beautiful events that strengthened her faith. Being born in the midst of The Great Depression, Mrs. Spears grew up cherishing everything she had, not only material possessions, but also memories and quality time with loved ones. She loved a good joke and enjoyed meeting new people, always trying to make them smile and laugh. Her Marilyn Monroe impression is one that is remembered by family. She wanted to leave each moment a little better than how she found it.

Graveside services celebrating her life and legacy will be held on Thursday, July 8 at 10:30 AM at Memphis Memory Gardens, 6444 Raleigh Lagrange Road, Memphis, TN 38134.