Charlotte Spears

1923 - 2008

Prominent civic leader, Charlotte Russell Spears, 84, of Sherman passed away at her home on Friday, June 20, 2008. Dannel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday., June 25 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, where she was a member. Rev. Neill Morgan and Rev. Bob Thompson of Highland Park Presbyterian Church will officiate.
Charlotte was born Aug. 21, 1923, in Honey Grove to John and Elizabeth Halsell Russell. She graduated from high school in Kilgore and earned degrees from Stephens College in Missouri and the University of Texas. She married Charles A. Spears on Jan. 19, 1946, in Fort Worth. They moved to Sherman from Cisco in 1954. He preceded her in death on June 20, 1987.
Charlotte was a leader in community service, and her accomplishments were many. She was one of the founders of Sherman Tutorial and Educational Program (STEP preschool) and later served as its coordinator. She was an active member of the Sherman Housing Authority and played a key role in establishing affordable public housing in Sherman. Juvenile Alternatives was another program which she created when she recognized a need for more equitable treatment of youthful offenders.
In education, she followed the example of her mother, Elizabeth Halsell Russell, in providing leadership. She served three terms as a member of the board of trustees of the Sherman Independent School District, including one as president. She and her husband played an active role in promoting integration in the schools and community. Charlotte also served as a member of the board of Grayson County College and was a strong supporter of Austin College.
Active in politics, she helped organize the local chapter of the League of Women Voters in 1970 and earned the Citizenship Award of the League in 1988. In 1976 she was recognized by the Sherman chapter of AAUW as "Woman of the Year."
Charlotte served as chairman of the board of Grayson County State Bank, and as a trustee of Texoma Savings and Loan. She was a major supporter of the arts in Sherman through Sherman Musical Arts and Sherman Community Players.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by sons, John and wife Patty Spears of Sherman, Brad Spears of Sherman, and Russ and Cathy Spears of Sherman; daughter, Betsy Spears Bamford and husband Christopher of Mt. Washington, Mass.; cousin, Harriet Halsell of Dallas; grandchildren, Amber Voiles, Luke Voiles and wife Sarah, Matt Spears, C.J. Spears, Lindsay Clift, Alex Hudgins, Camille Spears, and Morgan Spears; and one great-grandchild, Melody Spears. Charlotte will also be dearly missed by many friends.
Honorary pallbearers are Olan Atherton, Emmett and Norma Jo Essin, Jimmy and Nadyne Hughes, Hoppy Joiner, Cecile Sanderson, Pat Stout, Ray and Betty Stephens, Jim and Lena Witt, and Carol Shea.
Memorials may be made to the North Texas Youth Connection (formerly Juvenile Alternatives), P.O. Box 1625, Sherman, TX 75091-1625.
The family will receive visitors at Dannel Funeral Home from 6 -8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24.
You may sign the online guest book at www.dannelfuneralhome.com.