Kathy Ann Spear

Kathy Ann Spear, 64, from Stoney Brook of Copperas Cove, went to be with Jesus on Friday, October 16, 2015 suddenly from heart failure. She was born on July 14, 1951 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky to SGM Bernard E. and Melba Eileen Welling Gorrell. Kathy was a 1969 graduate of Copperas Cove High School. She attended the Brown Mackie Business College in Salina, Kansas. Upon completion, she returned to Copperas Cove and began her Civil Service career at Ft. Hood. She retired in 2011 with 40 years of service.

Ms. Spear was a loyal Dallas Cowboys fan who loved to wear her #82 Jason Witten jersey on game day. She was also a devoted NASCAR guru who could quote the pole standings for the season and where her beloved Dale Jr. was in the pack for every race.

Kathy was a proud 18 year breast cancer survivor.

Kathy married Lyle Spear in 1972 and they had one daughter, Mandy Kay Spear, who died in a car accident before her second birthday. She was later divorced and never remarried.

Kathy is survived by her sister, Becky Kirkland and husband Michael of Kempner, Texas and her brother, Paul (Buzz) Welling and wife Jeanie of Harrisburg, Illinois and brothers, Jim Welling and wife Donna and Tom (Bil) Welling all from Copperas Cove, Texas. She had 12 nieces and nephews, 16 great nieces and nephews, and 4 great-great nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Her favorite was her grandniece, Kalie a long haired dachshund, that visited her at Stoney Brook.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, and sisters, Jeanette Freeman of Copperas Cove, Texas and Shirley Burgess of Dallas, North Carolina.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 -3:00 pm on Thursday October 22, 2015 at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove. Her Memorial of Life Celebration will begin at 3:00 pm led by Deacon David Cardona from Wesley Chapel, Florida. There will be a private family burial at the Copperas Cove City Cemetery on Friday, October 23,2015 where Kathy's ashes will be laid to rest next to her daughter.

Memorials may be sent to the Copperas Cove Humane Society.