Joyce Spradley

I, Joyce Childress Spradley, age 93, was the fourth child born to Tom and Alice Childress on September 18, 1928, in the front bedroom of our home on West Temple in Houston, TX. After my birth, the family moved to Lockhart, TX to live with my grandmother, Laura Flowers Houston (a descendant of Sam Houston). The family returned to Houston in 1938.

I began working when I was very young, 8th or 9th grade. I worked in a cafe early in the morning, went to school during the day, and then returned to the cafe to do my homework and work more hours in the evenings. In 1945, at age eighteen, I went to work at the Sam Houston Hotel in downtown Houston. I worked as a cashier and helped with room service. I left the Sam Houston in 1947 for an opportunity to work at the Lamar Hotel, also in downtown Houston. I remained at the Lamar until 1953. In 1955, I went to work for Borden’s and worked in accounting where I balanced accounts and reconciled bank statements.

It was while I was working at Borden’s that I married the love of my life, Kenneth Spradley, on September 30, 1957. We were married for 57 years until Kenneth passed away in 2014.

I left Borden’s in 1958 to take a position as assistant cashier at First Mortgage. I was soon promoted to head cashier, and I remained at First Mortgage for more than twenty years, leaving in December 1978. At that time, my mother was in poor health, and with Kenneth’s urging, we moved her into our home. So I left my work and cared for my mom until her death in December 1983.

In 2019, I realized I needed to be nearer to family, so I moved to Watercrest Senior Living facility in Mansfield, TX to be near Tom and Beverly Crouch. While at Watercrest, I met lots of people who became dear friends. They filled my life with joy and laughter. I was very active while at Watercrest. I especially enjoyed the socials, all the games of Shanghai, Mexican Train, and Bingo.

My faith in God has always been strong. I grew up attending First United Methodist Church in downtown Houston with my family. After marriage, Kenneth and I were members of this church for 50 years. We attended regularly on Sundays for worship. After relocating to Mansfield, I attended worship with Tom & Beverly until Covid-19 precautions and personal health no longer permitted.

I wish to include a special “thank you” for a handful of people who have gone to great efforts to take care of me… Charlotte Spradley, Sherrie Childress, Sarah (my hospice nurse), and Tom & Beverly Crouch.

I have had a good and long life. And I did it my way.

Love you all,

Aunt Joyce