Clara Elaine Spann

Clara Elaine Spann of Humble, TX transitioned from this life into her everlasting life on August 18, 2022 at 7:20 pm in room 4020 at Memorial Hermann Northeast hospital. Elaine was born in Wharton, Texas on March 28, 1945, to adored parents Ruby Jean and George Dixon. She had three sisters, Ann who is married to Bob, Lynn who is married to John and Shelly, who will be lost without their big sister. Elaine attended Shady Dale Elementary and Smiley Junior and High Schools. As a young girl she grew up surrounded by her family in Allwood, which she described as "a little neighborhood where everyone got along." She and her best friend Frances enjoyed talking about boys and listening to Uncle Joe play the guitar.

At sixteen, while waitressing at Veaches Hamburgers on January 2, 1962, she met her husband of 60 years, Kenneth. When he was still in the parking lot, Elaine told the cook that she was going to marry that man! She was right and six weeks later she became his little bride. From the day they married she was his sunshine, and he was hers. Kenneth and Elaine had four children. Kenneth Jr. and Wanda Louise were awaiting their mama as she entered the pearly gates of Heaven. Their daughters and their husbands, Laura and Gregg Wong and Rhonda and Malcolm Dishongh never lived far from Kenneth and Elaine and the close-knit family took care of each other no matter the challenge. Elaine and Kenneth welcomed Jason Williamson and Casey Sowers into their home and love them as if they were their own. Jason and Casey refer to Aunt Lanie as Mom and their kids refer to her as their grandmother. Her nephew Trey was also close to her heart and spent a great deal of time with her.

While her children were growing up Elaine was a very dedicated mom. When volunteering for the Oakwilde PTA, where she served as president, she sold thousands of snow cones and goodies at the Bake Sales and put together holiday parties and carnivals that will go down in infamy. She also spent time on the board of the North Houston American Little League where she served as president of the Colt League. She is also a member and past Worthy Matron of Aldine, Chapter 1088 Order of the Eastern Stars. During those positions she met her lifelong friends-Deanna, Donna, Billie, Mary, Shirley, Patty, Jim, and Robbie. Robbie and Jim are the final survivors of the faithful friends. On those golden streets there is a great game of canasta being played and pounds of coffee being made.

The Wongs and Dishonghs gave Elaine five grandchildren who became the light in her life and the center of her universe. Just as her sweet Grandma Helton had done with her, she doted on Drew, Steven and Rachel Dishongh and Sarah and Gregory Wong and was so proud of everything they are. She held summer camps at her house for the kids while they were growing up and taught them as well as learned from them. Each of the grandchildren were her favorite in some way and they all refer to her as their best friend.

Elaine loved her entire family—every uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, in-law and all of her friends. Elaine did not meet a stranger and loved big. Even when sick she always put others first. Any time her doctors would round she would always ask about their family before she talked about herself. Most of all, Elaine loved her Lord and Savior. She was a faithful member of Evergreen Baptist Church where she loved to worship. She had a special love for her church family and her Pastor Ralph. Although she had been unable to attend services, she never lost faith. On her last day on earth, she looked tired and ready to meet her Lord but never looked scared.

The family would like to say a very special thank you to her five faithful doctors that kept her as healthy as possible--Dr, Alton Moore, Dr. Charlie Gnaim, Dr. Kevin Garnepudi, Dr. Ramesh Kesavan and Dr. Liza Jemison; her home care givers Renee Courtney, Sofia Segobia and Rosa Torres and Nurses Christina and Maria and therapist Bruce; the Patient Experience Navigators who shared many popsicles and stories and pictures of their children; and every single healthcare worker at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital.

When she talked to her children she would always say

“I sure do love you.” "I love you too, Mama.” “I know you do.”

Elaine and Kenneth loved to sing this verse to one another…

“You are my sunshine my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray.”