Nina Spears Gillispie

Our beloved mother, Nina Lee Spears Gillispie, age 96, passed away on February 18, 2025, after a brief illness. Nina Lee was born in Scottsboro, Alabama, on March 9, 1928, to the late J. D. and Bonnie Lou Owens Smith. During World War II our mother, together with her classmates, helped with the war effort by making clothing and other items to send to the troops serving on the home front and abroad. She graduated from Pisgah High School in May 1946 shortly after the war ended. An avid gardener, seamstress, quilter, and an amazing cook, our mother’s greatest pleasures and joys in life were spending time with her children and extended family. She loved her Deans Chapel Community friends and neighbors, having moved to the community as a young bride in 1947. One of our mother’s proudest accomplishments was serving as a substitute teacher at Deans Chapel Elementary School for many years. She married William Clarence Spears, Sr., a veteran of World War II, on March 7, 1947, who preceded her in death. Together they had four children, Martha (Buster) Cravener, William “Bill” Spears, Rebecca Kay Spears, and Frances (Joseph) Dzik, all of whom survive her. In addition, two grandchildren survive her, Michael (Paula) Dzik and Joshua Dzik, and four great grandchildren, Rachel (Joseph) Cummings, Rebecca Dzik, Noah Dzik and Miles Dzik. Her sister-in-law, Earlene Smith, also survives her. She is also survived by her nephews and nieces, Harold (Elaine) Brookshire, Gerald (Brenda) Brookshire, Sheila (Jerry) Weisenborn, Wayne Wilcoxson, Tom (Pam) Smith, and Mike Smith, as well as several great nephews and nieces. She was also preceded in death by her second husband, Efford Gillispie, her son-in-law, Luther Timmons, her sister and brother-in-law, Inez and Marcell Brookshire, her brother, J. D. Smith, and her niece, Donna Brookshire Wilcoxson. The family would like to extend special thanks to the wonderful staff at Cumberland Health & Rehab for the loving care they provided our mother. Additionally, the staff at Southern New Beacon Health Hospice made sure that Momma was comfortable and well cared for during the last few months and we are grateful for their support during this time. Funeral services will be on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 2:00 pm in Rainsville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Earnest Corbitt officiating. Burial will follow in Chaney’s Chapel Cemetery in Dutton, Alabama. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 21st from 1PM until 2PM.

Nina Spears Gillispie

March 9, 1928 - February 18, 2025