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SOUTHALL
William Christopher “Bill” Southall, 76, long time Elmer resident passed away Friday, December 7, 2007 at the
Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services
will be held at 2:00 PM Monday at the Lowell-Tims Funeral
Home Chapel with the Dr. Roy McDaniel officiating assisted by Ricky Crouch. Burial will follow in the Altus
Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Bill was born March 5, 1931 in Humphreys to Wiley Lloyd Southall and Esther Elizabeth Southall. He graduated
from Humphreys High School in 1949, attended Altus Junior College, and graduated from Oklahoma A&M in 1954
with a BS in Business. While at Stillwater he was a member of the Phi Tau Fraternity After graduation he worked as
a Fireman for the Rock Island Railroad and fired the rocket Train from Dallas to Houston. . He married Norma Lea
Shirley November 27, 1954.
Bill gave his life to the Lord when he was sixteen at the Humphreys Baptist Church where Rev. Noel George was
Pastor. He was a faithful and dedicated member of the Hess Baptist Church since 1960. He Served as Deacon,
Music Director and Sunday School Teacher through the years.
For six years he worked in accounting for an oil company in Midland, Texas. From 1960 through 1998 Bill
farmed and during this time he employed several young men and enjoyed guiding and teaching them. Some will be
pallbearers and the funeral service and one will speak. He loved farming, reading, trains, and music concerts and had
a passion for “words”- always teaching vocabulary to those around him. He was an accomplished pianist in high
school and played in several piano concerts in Altus.
He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-three years Norma Lea Southall of Elmer. One brother Guy Raymond
Southall and his wife Lanita of Altus. A sister-in-law; Edna Mae Shultz and husband Cecil of Altus. One nephew;
David Shultz and wife Tawna of Altus and two nieces Lisa Litsch and husband Kelley of Lubbock, Texas and Sandy
Major and her husband Doug of Blackwell, Oklahoma. Also eight great nieces and nephews and five great-great
nieces and nephews survive along with a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Ray Webster Southern
Ray Webster Southern, age 79, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2004 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Ray
was born January 17, 1925 in Altus, Oklahoma. He was the son of the late Daniel Webster Southern and Leona
Southern Pierce.
Ray was a lifelong resident of Altus and Jackson County. He graduated from Ozark High School. In 1943 after
graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp 4th Marine Division. He was wounded in 1944 while fighting
in the Asiatic Pacific Area, at Saipan. He was honorably discharged from the USMC, and received the Purple Heart,
from wounds received during combat. Ray was a long time and active member of the Elm and Hudson Church of
Christ. He was an active participant with the Red Cross Blood Drive, NARFE, the American Legion, VFW, Lions
Club, and retired as Postmaster from the Altus Postal Service.
Survivors include:
Wife: Janice Southern Altus
3 Daughters: Linda Southern Carrollton, Tex
Darla Johnson & (Alan) Mounds, Okla.
Elaine Guthrie & (Larry) Melbourne, Ark
5 Grandchildren: Paul Johnson & (Amy) Okla. City, Ok.
Karen Rackley & (Kyle) Mounds, Ok.
Linda Stevenson & (Chad) Bixby, Ok.
Daniel Johnson Mounds, Ok.
Diana Stevens Melbourne, Ark
4 great-grandchildren:
Mother-in-law: Myrtle Johnson Altus
1 Brother: Eugene Southern & (Bernice) Mesa, Ariz
2 Sisters: Louise Lemaster & (Ellis) Friendship, Ok
Ella Ruth Thornton &(Billy)” Red” Smyrna, Tenn
Special family friend Connie Crow Dallas, Tex.
He is also survived by one step-grandson: Brad Guthrie and (Rebecca) of Melbourne, Arkansas, and three step-great-
grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Gleola Johnson Southern in 1988, second wife, Bonnie Chesser
Parks Southern in 1996, 1 Brother, Dee Southern, and a nephew, Danny Southern.
Services for Ray Southern are scheduled for 11 AM Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004 at the Elm and Hudson Church of
Christ with Bill Osborne officiating. Interment will follow at the Altus Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims
Funeral Home.
The family of Ray Southern will greet friends, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004 at Lowell-Tims Funeral from 6:30PM-8:00PM
Memorials in honor of Ray Southern may be made to Westview Boys Home, 120 W. Broadway, Hollis, Oklahoma
73550 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 919 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1100, Chicago, Illinois 60611-1676.
SPAULDING
Lydia Janine Spaulding, age 55 of Olustee, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2006 at Jackson County
Memorial Hospital.
Janine was born on June 6, 1951 in Hobbs, New Mexico to Jack Blanton and Dorothy Willie (Moore) Henderson.
She married Pat Spaulding on July 25, 1969 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Moving to Olustee from the Shreveport area in 1982, Janine and Pat established their home and became very
involved in the community. A Godly woman, Janine’s first love was God and then her family and friends. In 1983,
she and Pat became foster parents and over the years they loved and cared for over ninety children who became
their own. Very active in the First Baptist Church of Olustee where she had a passion for missions, Janine loved
crocheting, cooking, sewing, any type of craftwork, fishing with Pat and attending the activities that her grandchildren
were involved in. Janine was a trainer for new foster parents and was known for her patience, forgiving nature and
love for others. She also had a special love for her dog, Sadie, whom she adored. As a prayer warrior, she
interceded for many people and had God and Jesus as her first allegiance along with her church. Janine was known
for her fantastic cooking and for many years was involved in feeding students at the Western Oklahoma State College
Baptist Student Union.
Preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law, Joann June Spaulding and a step sister Carlyn Adornetta, she is
survived by her husband, Pat of the home; five children, Richie Basaldua, Sarah Garcia and husband Raymond, Lori
Reyes and husband Ricky all of Olustee, Jeremy Spaulding of Blair and Kathi Ramirez and husband Javier of Elmer;
one sister, Clarice Fulmer and husband Wesley of North Richland Hills, Texas; twelve grandchildren, Mitchell
Basaldua, Hannah Basaldua, Ericka Garcia, Patrick Garcia, Richard (Paco) Reyes, Caleb Reyes, Kallee Reyes,
Tyler Reyes, Alyssa Molina, Johnathon Ramirez, Gabby Ramirez and Abi Ramirez; step mother, Ozella Henderson;
father-in-law, Pat Spaulding and Wife Peggy of Chouteau, Oklahoma; three foster girls currently living in her home
along with many foster children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and
many, many friends.
Funeral services for Janine Spaulding will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 11 a.m. at Lowell-Tims
Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Doug Altom officiating. Interment will follow at the Olustee Cemetery under the
direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home of Altus.
The family of Janine Spaulding will greet friends at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 12, 2006
from 6 until 8 p.m.
SPENCE
Diana Lee Spence, age 29, of Altus, passed away on Monday, May 28, 2007, at Southwestern Medical Center in
Lawton.
Diana was born on July 2, 1977, in Altus. A 1995, graduate of Altus High School, Diana loved to work crossword
puzzles, gourmet cooking, read, participate in karaoke and spend time with her husband and other family members.
Diana is survived by her loving husband, David, of the home; her mother, Mary Perez of Altus; her mother-in-law and
father-in-law, Loyd and Priscilla Spence of Headrick; four sisters, Elizabeth Ramirez of Misawa, Japan, Linda Shimmin
of Lakenheath, England, Sandra Perez of Altus and Lisa Garay of Temple, Texas; three nephews, Nelson Ramirez III,
Samuel Spence and Noah Spence; three nieces, Candice Spence, Liliana Perez and Elena Shimmin along with many
other family member and friends.
Graveside services for Diana Spence will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2007, at the Headrick Cemetery with Dale
Spence officiating. Services are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home of Altus.
Janice Carol Spence
Janice Carol Spence, 59, of Blair and formerly of Headrick, Oklahoma, passed away Thursday, October 5, 2006, at
the Plantation Village Care Center in Altus.
Janice was born January 4, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, to Aden Wood and Alaine (Cook) Campbell. Her dad was in
the Armed Forces during her growing up years and they eventually settled in Jackson County, where Janice attended
Altus High School. She married Roy Spence August 12, 1984, in Vernon, Texas, and he preceded her in death
September 11, 1996. Janice worked at the Altus Air Force Base as a Human Resource Specialist in the Civilian
Personnel Office for thirty years. She retired May 1, 2004.
She loved working with and helping anyone with physical disabilities due to her own past experience. She loved and
cherished her family, friends, and co-workers and was always there when they needed her. She was a member of
the Methodist Church.
Janice is survived by two sons, Trebor Thornton and wife Carrie of Altus and Dean Thornton and wife Denise of
Headrick; her mother, Alaine Campbell of Blair; one sister, Lana Dwinell and husband Harry of Texas; two brothers,
Pat Campbell and wife Suzie of Blair and Larry Ayers and wife Sandy of Texas; four grandchildren, Taylor Shelby,
Colton, and Cambrie Thornton; one nephew, Cort Campbell and wife Holly of Blair; great-niece and great-nephew,
Chloe Campbell and Cole Campbell, both of Blair, and a host of other relatives and many friends.
Janice was preceded in death by her father, Aden Campbell, and husband, Roy Spence.
Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, October 7 at Lowell-Tims Chapel with Reverend Dan Lambert
officiating. Interment will follow at the Navajoe Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family will greet friends at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Friday, Oct. 6, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
Minnie Opal Speraw
Minnie Opal Speraw, age 76 passed away Monday, June 28, 2004 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. She was
born October 22, 1927 in Gilliam, Arkansas to Forrest and Rosie (Martin) Angel. On April 26, 1952, Minnie married
Stanley Speraw at Texarkana, Arkansas.
She is lovingly survived by her husband Stanley Speraw of the home in Altus, Oklahoma; two sons, James Speraw
and wife Debbie of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and Michael Speraw and wife Pamela of Little Rock, Arkansas; three
daughters, Sheila Blain and husband Dale of Huntington Beach, California, Lisa Johnson and husband David of
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Tina Burrows of Altus, Oklahoma; two brothers Wayne Angel of Texarkana, Texas
and Harold Angel of Haughton, Louisiana; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Minnie Opal Speraw are scheduled for Thursday, July 1, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. in the Lowell-Tims
Funeral Home Chapel with Father Haynes Dugan officiating. Internment will follow at the Altus City Cemetery under
the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home of Altus.
SPERAW
Stanley Clifford Speraw, age 83, of Altus, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, August 7, 2007, at Baptist Medical
Center in Oklahoma City.
Mr. Speraw was born on September 13, 1923, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania to Samuel and Naomi (Hempeg) Speraw.
Joining the Army Air Corps at an early age, he met Minnie Opal Angel at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and they were
married on April 26, 1952 in Texarkana, Arkansas. Minnie preceded him in death on June 28, 2004, after fifty-two
wonderful years of marriage. During his Air Force career, the family lived in many locations until moving to Altus in
1970. After thirty-two years of faithful service to his country, Stanley retired from the United States Air Force in
1974, as a Chief Master Sergeant with numerous decorations that include the Air Force Longevity Service Award,
Air Force Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and many, many more. During
retirement, he enjoyed spending his time working crossword puzzles, reading, working in his yard and feeding the
birds. His greatest times, however, were spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he dearly loved.
Preceded in death by his parents, his wife, three brothers, two sisters and a grandson, Justin Beuttler, he is survived
by five children, James Speraw and wife Debbie of Crestview, Florida, Shelia Blain and husband Dale of Huntington
Beach, California, Michael Speraw and wife Pamela of Littlerock, Arkansas, Lisa Johnson and husband Dave of
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Tina Burrows and fiancée Donald Scott of Glenpool, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren,
Mariessa Olmstead and husband Jerime of Texas, Sandra Speraw of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, James Michael
Speraw and wife Corina of Crestview, Florida, Aron Blain of Bellflower, California, Stephanie Beardshear and
husband Brian of Huntington Beach, California, James W. Cyrus of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ashley McNear and
husband Ryan of Moore, Oklahoma and John Levi Burrows of Altus; three great grandchildren, Cody Higgins,
Aaron Olmstead and Hayden McNear along with many nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and a host of
friends.
Funeral services for Stanley Speraw will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, August 11, 2007, at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home
Chapel. Internment will follow at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home of Altus.
Opal Spradlin
Opal Spradlin, age 86 of Altus, passed away June 2, 2003 at the Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Services are set
for 10:00 A.M. Thursday, June 5, 2003 at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel. Dr. Jeff Moore will officiate and
interment will follow at the Altus City Cemetery. The family will receive guests at the funeral home from 6:00 to 7:00
P.M. on Wednesday evening.
Opal was born on October 6, 1916 to parents Robert Ledbetter and Dora Powers Ledbetter six miles south of Altus.
She married Woodrow Wilson Spradlin on February 3, 1934 at Duke, Oklahoma. They made their home in Altus.
Together they raised six children, and they were married sixty years. She worked on farms and at several restaurants
in Altus. During World War II she lived in California, and she was a ship welder. Her hobbies included playing
Dominoes at Wilson Center and charity work. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, and she was a longtime
member of the First Baptist Church of Altus. She was a very warm and loving person and cared for
all. She never knew a stranger, and her front door was always open. If you were fortunate enough to have known her
and had been to her home, you knew to come hungry, because you were sure to leave with a full stomach. She was
loved by all who knew her. She will be remembered fondly and greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Wilson Spradlin, her parents, Robert and Dora Ledbetter;
three brothers, Lloyd Ledbetter, Leo Ledbetter and Leon Ledbetter; three sisters, Ruby Ledbetter, Hope Solee and
Myrtle Rose; granddaughter, Terri Bryer and great granddaughter Leigh Ann Longoria.
Survivors include her children, Bonnie Ford, Jerry Spradlin, Jimmie Spradlin and Sandra Shaw, all of Altus; Beverly
Darcy of Glen Burrey, Maryland and Veda Eiler of Fort Worth, Texas; twenty four grandchildren, forty five great
grandchildren and three great great grandchildren; her best friend, midnight the dog and a host of other relatives and
friends.
