Danna S Spayde

February 28, 1933 - August 25, 2023

A couple of years ago while Mom and I were candidly talking about when we die, what we wanted to happen, etc. she said “When you write my obituary, make it funny!” I said “Gee thanks Mom, no pressure there, nothing easier than writing a funny obituary! Why it practically writes itself!” Though I don’t think I will live up to her expectations on this matter, here goes:

She was born in Gulfport, MS. Her dad owned Stone’s Ice Cream Company, an ice cream plant that had an ice cream parlor in the front as well, and was located between Gulfport High School and the beach! Talk about a great location! Well, obviously right from the beginning, life was going to be sweet and a whole lot of fun for her and her 2 sisters, and from what I heard, (because I didn’t know her then) I’m pretty sure it was. She met my Dad, so the story goes, while on an excursion ferry to Ship Island. He was the most handsome and probably silliest, deck hand on the ferryboat that she rode on that day (isn’t that romantic?). They fell in love, got married, had 2 kids and moved to Baton Rouge, where she got her Master’s in Social Work at LSU and she has been a Master of being Social ever since! She loved all living things, even the “icky” ones, because she believed that like it or not, every life has a reason. Intellectually brilliant, she had not a bit of common sense and was also so clumsy she could trip over her own shadow! After all, no one’s perfect! She probably had more important things going on in her brain than to pay attention to mundane things in life like practicality, poise and balance. A pure, spiritual being, she was open to all religions because she would, (and I’m quoting Bob Hope here) “Hate to blow the Hereafter on a technicality”. I could go on and on about all she did, but the truth is, I haven’t a clue about everything she did, and I bet no one else does either. She was so diverse in her passions and did so much to keep them alive and going, that I just couldn’t keep up. I like to think of her like a finely cut faceted diamond. Get her into a little light, stand back and watch the beautiful colors of life and love emit out of her in every direction. All those who knew her, loved her. All of you who never met her, I am sorry for your lost opportunity.

She is preceded in death not only by her husband, R.L. Spayde Sr., parents Daniel M. and Ruth L. Stone and other relatives, but also by everyone and everything that has ever died before her. She leaves behind her 2 sisters, 2 children, a son-in-law, 4 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, a plethora of pets and well, obviously everyone and everything else that is still living.

Sorry Mom, I’m sure this not as funny as you probably wanted it to be, but to all who read this, if you at least smiled, please, pay it forward. Life is too short, even if you live to be 90, to not share a smile as often as you can.

Fairfarren Mom,

(aka G-Maw, MaaM-Maw

Gram-Gram, Maw-Maw),

We all love you and thanks for all the fun!

Donations can be made to and will be greatly appreciated by:

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (lagrg.org)

LASACT (lasact.org)

Jubilee Pioneers (P.O. Box 245, Ventress, LA 70783

Any animal or ecological charity of your choice

Her family (to help defer some expenses)

Peace be with you all.