SPURLIN

Mary Elizabeth Breazeale Spurlin passed away on Feb. 12, in Atlanta, at Christus St. Michael Hospital. Ms. Spurlin was 84 years old. She was born on Dec. 17, 1931 in Marshall, to Maude Manning and Altha Muntz Breazeale.

She attended and graduated as Valedictorian from New Diana High School. She worked as a telephone operator. While working there she met her future husband, James Wright Spurlin, Sr. of Hughes Springs. They were married in Durrant, Oklahoma on April 24, 1953. After marriage, she became a full time housewife. She started college in 1968 when her youngest child started school. She graduated from Kilgore College with an Associate of Science Degree. She continued her education at East Texas Baptist University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education Degree. She was employed by Hughes Springs I.S.D. for her entire 27 year educational career. While at Hughes Springs, she was a Title I math and reading specialist, a second grade teacher, and Curriculum Director. She received her Masters of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Ann Tervonen and her husband Dale, of Oskosh, Wisconsin; and son, James Wright Spurlin, Jr. and his wife Karen of Atlanta; nine grandchildren, David Tervonen of Reston, Virginia, Dan Tervonen of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Suzi Spiering and her husband Jon of Richmond, James Wright Spurlin, III of Ewing, New Jersey, Jeremy Spurlin and his wife Jessica of Seattle, Washington, Jason Spurlin of Nacogdoches, Justin Spurlin of Tyler, Melinda Simpson and her husband Jim of Sugarland, Melinda Thomas of St. Peters, Missouri. She also had four great-grandchildren: Ethan and Allison Spiering of Richmond, and Brandson and Kristiana Roach of Sugarland.

She was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother; her husband, James Wright Spurlin, Sr.; her daughter, Mary Lynn Wilson; and her sister, Maria Smith. She also wanted to mention her last pet, “King” that was her companion in life after the loss of her husband.

Services for Ms. Spurlin were held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at Reeder- Davis Chapel. Burial followed at Hughes Springs Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs.