Katherine Lynn Spearman

Katherine Lynn Spearman, suddenly left us to go to her Heavenly home on June 22, 2022. She was born on October 3, 1949 to Evelyn Norman Wine and Louis Edgar Burwell Jr. in Compton, CA. Katherine was the youngest of three girls and was raised in Modesto, CA, later graduating from Escalon High School in 1968. Right before Katherine graduated, on May 10, 1968, she met the love of her life on a blind date. They knew each other two weeks and spent each day together before he had to go back on Duty in the Army during the Vietnam War. After he arrived back on base, Paul proposed to her on the phone one evening. She went to work at Booth Packing, putting C-rations together for the military to make just enough money to fly to Paul in Fort Carson, Colorado. She married him on July 10, 1968 in Chapel #1 on Base, in Fort Carson. They spent 53 years, 11 months together in North Modesto. She had two daughters, eight grandchildren and 5 fur-babies.

She was a stay-at-home Mom for 13 years. In that time, Katherine found Jesus and accepted Him as her Savior. She was baptized at Modesto Covenant Church in 1977. Her girls were two of her best friends and she loved being a Girl Scout Leader when they were younger and was an active member of the Boosters for the Beyer HS Marching Band & Color Guard and traveled all over the US supporting Melissa and the band.

Education was the most important thing to her. Despite a learning disability, Katherine started going to Modesto Junior College in 1975, receiving her Associate in Science degree in 1981 and received an Associate in Arts degree in 1999.

Katherine was a Retiree from Stanislaus County after working as a Microfilm Technician for the Clerk Recorder's office for 10 years. After a work injury, she was medically retired. She later finished her education, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Social Science at Chapman University in 2001.

During her retirement, she played a very active role in the community. Katherine was a member and Past President of the California Native Daughters of the Golden West, Morada Parlor No. 199. She was a member of Modesto Garden Club, active in Big Valley Grace Seniors, Prime Time. She did Bible Study Fellowship and was a faithful volunteer at the Healthy Aging Association in Stanislaus County. She was an instructor of Senior Fitness exercise class and always served her neighbors faithfully by doing the Lord’s work. Katherine’s hobbies were baking, playing with and taking care of her two small dogs, reading her Bible and always learning. She also enjoyed their unique vehicles and going to car shows with her husband, Paul.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Louis Burwell and Evelyn Wine, her fur-babies Trixie, Pete and Coco and survived by her husband; Paul Spearman, two daughters: Lynn and her husband, John Bailey; Melissa and her husband, Mike Goes. Eight grandchildren: Katelyn, Tommy, Daniel and Allison Bailey; Ryan, Abigail, Matthew and Timothy Goes. Two sisters: Patricia Helsby and Barbara Silva. As well as her two beloved dogs, Rowdy and Emma.