Suzanne Spillman

1937-2015 Suzanne Hampton Spillman, 77, of Kerrville, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, following a long battle with cancer. She was born to Jane and Harry Hampton on April 29, 1937. She and her twin sisters Dinah and Caroline were raised in Port Arthur, Texas, and grew up with many life-long friends and family members. Following graduation from the University of Texas, she moved to Midland, Texas, and it was there that she met her husband, Larry W. Spillman, her husband, partner and best friend of 55 years. They were married in 1960 and in 1962 they moved to Beaumont, Texas, where they lived for 28 years. During their years in Beaumont, Suzanne continued close relationships with friends from her childhood and her years as a Theta at UT. She also worked on behalf of a number of charitable organizations and the Junior League of Beaumont. She won numerous tennis championships in singles as well as doubles tournaments with Larry. Suzanne also discovered a love and natural ability for golf which led to winning the Ladies' Club Championship at the Beaumont Country Club, and later at the Riverhill Country Club in Kerrville. Her greatest love, however, was reserved for her family. In 1964 Suzanne and Larry adopted their daughter Hannah through the Edna Gladney Agency. In 1967, they welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Janie. As a mother she encouraged their independence and individuality, but also instilled in both her daughters a love and appreciation for the long relationships they shared with friends and family. She delighted in seeing her daughters, and later her granddaughters, Grayson Suzanne Ruiz and Caroline Grace Simone, spend their summers at Camp Waldemar. In 1990, Suzanne and Larry moved to Kerrville, Texas, which has been their home for the last 25 years. After Larry retired from real estate they were able to share their love of travel. Suzanne was always up for a new adventure, and together they explored the United States, Canada and Europe. Suzanne Spillman was a fighter and she refused to give in to cancer. Together with her devoted husband Larry she lived a full and wonderful life right up until the day she died. We will miss her every day but we are blessed with many happy memories and her passions will live on through her granddaughters and their daughters in the years ahead. She is survived by her husband Larry, her daughter Hannah Spillman Simone and granddaughter Caroline Grace Simone of Great Falls, Virginia; her daughter Janie Spillman Ruiz and her granddaughter Grayson Suzanne Ruiz of Dripping Springs; her sisters Dinah McClymonds of Houston, Texas, and Caroline McKnight of Overland Park, Kansas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service in celebration of Suzanne's life will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2015, at 11:00 am at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 320 Main Street, in Kerrville. Guests are invited to join the Spillman family for lunch immediately following the service in Tucker Hall. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Suzanne's memory may be made to Peterson Hospice, 1121 Broadway, Kerrville, Texas, 78028; or to The Kathleen C. Cailloux Animal Shelter, 2900 Junction Highway, Kerrville, Texas, 78028. The Spillman family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the Send Condolences link.