Marlis J Spear

A strong, fearless, beloved wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, niece, partner, and friend, Marlis’s beautiful smile and laughter touched everyone who came in contact with her.

Marlis was born to Evelyn Louise Baker and Charles Louis Baker in Crawfordsville, IN, in March of 1940. Following graduation from Crawfordsville High School in 1958, Marlis went on to graduate from beauty school in Indianapolis where she soon purchased her own salon.

In 1962, following a movie with friends, Marlis found herself with a car that would not start. That was the night she met Richard (Dick) Spear who rescued her and shared with her a love affair that continues today in heaven. Married in 1962, Marlis and Dick had three wonderful children: Michele Carrano in 1963, Michael Spear in 1964 and Melissa Le’ppin in 1965. She Worked for R.R. Donnelly in Crawfordsville, IN where she excelled and worked her way up to account Operator. Dick was transferred to many cities throughout Indiana. After moving to Frankfurt, IN. Marlis worked for Beard Farm Equipment Company where they sold Corn Dryers and Augers.

Marlis and Dick moved their family to South Florida in 1973 where she worked hard to become a Paralegal while Dick continued excel at Southern Bell. In 1974, they purchased a home in Cabana Colony neighborhood of Lake Park FL. A community where everyone is family, they made incredible memories, forged life-long friendships and watched their children grow up. Through the years, Marlis loved being involved in her children’s activities and frequently served as the team mom, the cheerleading director, the swim team booster, the neighborhood transportation department, and any committee seat the Moose Lodge needed filled.

In 1983, Dick transferred to Central Florida, and they moved to the town of Oviedo just outside Orlando where Marlis landed a premier Paralegal position with the International Law Firm Maguire Vorhees and Wells aka Holland and Knight. They enjoyed the next 12+ years together until Dick went to his heavenly home in 1995. Marlis moved to Clermont, FL. where Westminster Memory Care of Clermont, FL was blessed with her servants heart for many years. She received accolades for her efforts though she would always say, “The Glory is GOD’s.”

As grand babies arrived, Marlis returned to South Florida settling in Port Saint Lucie, FL to be closer. GOD quickly led her to become a member of the First United Methodist Church of Port Saint Lucie where she said she just knew she was home the moment she walked in.

Marlis was a true Servant of God. She contributed her talents to several committees, posts and volunteer positions within the church including serving as the Ministry Team Leader for Congregational Care/Nurture, covering a variety of ministries; Lay Visitation Fellowship, United Women of Faith – Lydia Circle, Good Grief, Funeral Ministry, New Baby Ministry and volunteer projects like the youth Pumpkin Patch, Church rummage sale, Northpoint Elementary and Mission Flight. She was a member of the church quilters club, packed and delivered shut-in gifts, performed hospital, nursing facility and home visits, and of course, the resident transportation service for a number of friends and church elders who did not drive throughout the years.

Marlis had an immense passion for reading and learning, was a season ticket holder to the local theater, cherished lunch with friends at Gator Trace, and trips to the Ft. Pierce inlet. She loved her family and all the quirky traditions that continued even after her kids grew, like, playing dominos and jacks, listening to the multiple generations of family musicians in our family and single handedly cooking 50 plus pancakes for the grandkids Annual Christmas Pancake Eating Contest.

Marlis had an amazing sense of humor and a beautiful laugh! Her wit was razor sharp and she was known to say the most shocking thing she could think of, in hopes of helping you see a new perspective. She made her whole family laugh with her outrageous and exaggerated facial expressions, and all her silly sayings like; This is a fine kettle of fish! She was kind, generous and compassionate. Even when she spoke in anger, she was often the first to apologize and to try to heal anything broken. She believed in dignity and a person’s right to choose the life they want, the way they want and in their own time. She struggled with the concept of tough love and was fiercely independent and private. She loved her entire family, without reservation. She worried about them, rooted for them, protected them, and always kept on loving them.

Her unwavering faith in GOD made her so special to so many. She loved to congregate, celebrate, and support others and just truly lead a purposeful life. She was a stranger to no one and found great purpose sharing in the successes, joys, and challenges of those around her. Her love for you was unconditional and she was authentically and wholeheartedly there for those in her life.

Marlis was greeted in heaven by her beloved husband of 60 years, Richard Spear, Mother, Evelyn Louise Baker, Father, Charles Louis Baker, Brother, David Duane Baker, Father-in-law, Raymond Spear, Mother-in-law, Beryl Spear, Sister-in-law Mary Lou Williams, , Nephew Michael Gellar, Great Nephews Tristan and Sebastian Wilcoxen and her very loved and spoiled Yorkie Maggie.

She is survived by her three beautiful children: Michele Carrano of Louisville, KY; Michael Ray Spear, (Jamie), of Denton, TX, and Melissa Le’ppin (Drew) of Port Saint Lucie, FL.

By her dear sisters, Marcia Marshall, (Ronald), of Fishers, IN, Rebecca Clinkscales (William) of Royal Palm Beach, FL, Joyce Baker of Crawfordsville, IN and Cynthia Young Elliott, of Brazil, IN, her loving brother Donald E Baker (Lesley) of Waynetown, IN, And brother-in-law Carl E. Williams.

Four cherished grandchildren: Alysyn Thompson of Pflugerville, TX, Zachary Spear (Macie Ross) of Portland, OR, and Aubrey Spear and Hunter Spear of Denton TX.

Beloved Nieces and Nephews: Steve Williams (Glennda), Rebecca Brown (Jody), Beth Davis (Tom), Brian Marshall (Konni Jo), Jillian Anderson, (Greg), Julie Neff (Eric), Joanna Baker-Yohman (Chris), Jessica Baker, Lisa Baker-Pham (Bertha), Jeremy Baker, Rachel Baker (Jessie), Carrie Wilcoxen (David), Brooke Gellar (James), Bobbi Jo Minick (Kevin), Shannon Rogers,(Steve), Jeremy Stoute,(Tanya), Michael J Stoute (Anne), Nathan Stoute, Ashley Page (Josh), Tiffany Smith (Chris), 51 Grand Nieces and Nephews and 14 Great Nieces and Nephews.

Marlis also leaves countless treasured extended family members, dear friends, including her Soul sister Liz Moser, childhood friends Joyce Northcutt, and Reva Myers, sisters in Christ Marylin Benda & Carol Sinko, friend, guiding light and Associate Pastor, Radamee Orlandi and friends and neighbors Nate, Cherie, and Christian Portinga, who will sadly miss her.

Family and friends are invited to come and celebrate Marlis’s life, share fond memories, photos, stories and music with a service and reception:

First United Methodist Church of Port Saint Lucie 260 NW Prima Vista Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983. Service will begin at 10 a.m. on November 19th, 2022, in the main sanctuary directed by Associate Pastor Radamee Orlandi.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to

Treasure Coast Hospice: In loving Memory of Marlis Spear

1201 SE Indian Street Stuart, FL 34997 * 772-403-4500

Or online at https://www.treasurehealth.org/292/Donate

Arrangements are by Aycock at Tradition.

Our family would like to thank the Care Team at Cleveland Clinic Traditions, Treasure Coast Hospice and Dr.’s Michael Blum and Marc Babi for their compassionate care plus all of our family and friends for their prayers, support, and notes of encouragement. She truly felt the love around her as she journeyed home.