Caroline King Spiller

She was born on May 17, 1910, in Lyman, Mississippi, and during her lifetime had been a devoted wife and loving mother to two children. Caroline felt blessed by her precious six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and was, in later years, affectionately called "Grannie" by many who knew her.

She and her husband, Jean L. Spiller, moved to Lake Charles, LA, in 1931 following a Niagara Falls, New York, honeymoon. They treasured their 33 years together until his death in 1964. Her gift of being a compassionate listener never left her, and she embraced with enthusiasm all of her life's experiences. Being able to help another was one of her greatest joys. Friends and family were welcomed to her home, which she always maintained with pride.

When children were around she loved to play games, work jigsaw puzzles, enjoy a good joke, and she was a sympathetic supporter for everyone she knew. One of her favorite places to be for 77 years, as neighbors can testify, was on her front porch sitting in her swing.

Caroline was proud of her membership in the First United Methodist Church. She had been active in the United Methodist Women meetings and her Triple L Sunday School Class, which included some of her dearest friends. Working with staff and children in the church preschool for many years marked a memorable time in her life. She had also been a participating member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Ruth Chapter, in younger years. Caroline accepted the challenges of her last years with dignity, and she will be missed by many.

Preceding her in death beside her husband were her parents, Lillie L. Stewart King and S.E. King, her two infant brothers, Clifton and S.E. Jr., her beloved older sister, Lillie Lee, and younger brother, James "Jim" Vernon, all of Gulfport, Mississippi. She is also preceded in death by her younger sister, Miller King Howze, of Corpus Christi, Texas. Caroline was eight years old when her mother died of the dreaded smallpox disease, and she remembered with great affection her stepmother, Mary Stella King, who later lovingly nurtured her during the following years. Mary Stella and her three daughters, Fannie, Madeline, and Daisy, are all deceased.

Left to cherish her memory are a daughter, Mary Ellen Spiller Robert, and her husband, P. Charles Robert, Jr., of Baton Rouge, LA, and son, Jean L. "Buddy" Spiller, Jr., and his wife, Sarah Jordan Spiller, of Lake Charles, LA. Some of Caroline's happiest times were spent with her grandchildren and their families.

They are Dana Robert Daneel and husband, Marthinus Daneel of Somerville, MA; Kevin Robert and wife, Lisa Bartels Robert, of Katy, TX; Greg Robert and former wife Linda Parish Robert, of Stone Mountain and Lilburn, GA; Elizabeth Spiller McLaughlin and husband, COL (Ret.) Bernard McLaughlin, Susan Spiller Latil, all of Lake Charles, LA; and Sarah "Sally" Spiller of Irving, TX.

The great-grandchidlren are Scott and Katie Robert of Lilburn, GA; Samuel and John Massie of Somerville, MA; Casey and Kelly Robert of Katy, TX; Ellen and Harrison Latil, Connor and Stratton McLaughlin, all of Lake Charles, LA.

The family wishes to express special thanks to Caroline's caregivers during the last years. They include the devoted Brenda Van Atten and Shirley Gobert, and members of the staff and personnel at Grand Cove Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Brighton Bridge Hospice. Their compassionate care, along with that given by Dr. Brian Clements, was very much appreciated. And the loving attention given her through the years by members of First United Methodist Church was a blessing to all in the family.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at First United Methodist Church, corner of Broad and Kirkman. Religious service will be conducted by the Rev. Louis Blankenbaker. Visitation will be at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles on Monday December 10, 2012 from 4-8pm. Visitation will resume Tuesday at the church from 9am until service time. Interment will be at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com

Memorial donations may be made to First Methodist School of First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, 812 Kirkman St, Lake Charles, LA, 70601 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 910 Pierremont Road, Suite 410, Shreveport, LA, 71106.