Anne Stacy Eastland Spears

ANNE STACY EASTLAND SPEARS passed away January 20, 2005 at her home in Houston, Texas. Anne was born in Austin, Texas on May 23, 1922. She is survived by her husband, John M. Spears to whom she was married for 12 years, her son Seaborn Stacy Eastland and his wife, Tara, her daughter Nancy Eastland Leaton and her husband, Barry, her son, Richard "Dick" Gillespie Eastland and his wife Willetta "Tweety," her granddaughter, Tara Eastland Leclerc and her husband, Réal, her grandson, Gardner Eastland and his wife, Meredith, her grandson, Britt Eastland and his wife, Catie, her grandsons, Richard, James and Edward Eastland, her grandson, Josh Leaton and her granddaughter, Wren Leaton, her great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Pierce and Eloise Leclerc and John Spears' daughters Kathleen DiVita and her husband Gene and Suzie Melton and her husband Brac and grandchildren, Travis and Kim Melton. She is also survived by her nephews, William G. Stacy III and his wife Stephanie, George Stacy and his wife Cathy, Philip Stacy and his wife Jeanne and niece Cindy Stacy Janke and her husband Jay. Anne was preceded in death by her parents, William (Pop) Gillespie and Agnes Doran Stacy and her brother, William Gillespie Stacy, Jr. of Kerrville. She was also preceded in death by Seaborn Eastland, Jr. Two weeks after the war ended she married Sebe. Their marriage lasted 45 years until his death in 1990. She attended Mills College in California and the University of Texas in Austin where she graduated with a BJ in 1943. Anne was a great friend to many, a devoted and generous parent, grandparent, great-grandparent and a wonderful wife. She dearly loved her husbands, her family, her friends, Camp Mystic and the University of Texas. To her friends, Anne was known for her honor, kindness, wit and keen intellect. She cared greatly about not only her friends, but all people. This passion led her to politics. She worked devotedly for causes and candidates that she believed in such as the Houston Independent School Board, Governor Connally or Senator Bentsen. Her efforts were recognized when she was elected to be Vice-Chairman of the State Democratic Party. She was also passionate about education. She donated her time and resources towards improving the quality of education at all levels including the local elementary schools, Sunday school and the University of Texas. Anne was a wonderful steward of Camp Mystic. Under her leadership, as Chairman of the Board, the camp has become a Texas institution that has positively affected the lives of thousands of young women. She will forever be remembered for her big, colorful sun hats and riding around camp in her "Boss Buggy." She was a member of the River Oaks Garden Club, Junior League of Houston, Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae, Life Member of the University of Texas Exes' Association, Executive Committee of the University of Texas Chancellor's Council, 200 Longhorn Club, Forest Club in Houston, Tarry House in Austin and Riverhill Country Club in Kerrville. As Anne's children, we feel blessed to have had her as a parent. She was a big advocate of "quality time." She insisted that the family have both breakfast and dinner together with no T.V. (unless her favorite show Bonanza happened to be on that night) and it was mandatory that a ubiquitous discussion on almost any topic would always follow. She cared greatly about us, and we could not help but grow from her nurturing. We will forever cherish the memory of Anne Stacy Eastland Spears. We will miss her wonderful sense of humor, big laugh that filled a room, her generous nature, warm spirit and her strength. We give all of our thanks to God for blessing us with her presence. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family Sunday, January 23, 2005, 5-7 p.m. at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Memorial service will be Monday, January 24, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, TX with Laurens A. Hall, Rector of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church officiating. Honorary Pallbearers are her grandsons, Gardner, Richard, Britt, James and Edward Eastland, Josh Leaton and her grand son-in-law, Réal Leclerc The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to The University of Texas in Austin.