Mary Jeanette Spaulding

She was born July 25, 1953 in Alton, IL to Robert Postlewait and Bernadine (Roth Postlewait) Brecht. On December 18, 1976 she married James Spaulding in Greenfield, IL, in the same church where her parents were married.

Surviving are two daughters, Amber (David) Scott of Litchfield, IL and Megan Spaulding of Sugar Land, TX; two sons, Dane (Ashley) Spaulding of Edwardsville, IL and Juan Spaulding of Katy, TX; four grandchildren, Anna Scott, Ethan Scott, Laney Spaulding, and Titus Spaulding; two sisters who were her best friends, Phyllis Postlewait and Virginia (Calvin) Jarrell; Nancy Root, mother of David Scott, who was like a sister to her; several nieces and nephews; and her cats, Lil Samurai and Lil Bitty Echo.

Mary had a lifelong dedication to learning and education. She instilled this in her children, who will celebrate her legacy. As a working adult and mother, Mary earned her Bachelor’s degree and two Master’s degrees. Her career in education began first as a swim instructor, later as a grade school substitute teacher, then as an instructor at Lewis and Clark Community College and SIUE. When she moved to Katy, TX with her husband in 2002, she earned her Texas teaching certificate and became a high school teacher, and later a high school guidance counselor in Alief ISD, the role from which she retired in 2022. Through her years in education, her kindness reached countless students, many of whom recall her support and positive impact on their lives.

Mary was a prolific reader and insightful listener. She cultivated joy in her flower gardens. She loved the sun, driving her Jeep on the beach, and hiking in the mountains. A fitness fanatic, she devoted hours to the gym, where she enjoyed uplifting her friends as much as she did weight lifting. She adored her many pets and their companionship over the years.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather, Milton Brecht; father-in-law, Jack Spaulding; mother-in-law, Mary Spaulding; two brothers-in-law, Tim Spaulding and Tom Spaulding; and her two dearest friends, Nancy Rene Okada and Catherine Marie Allen.

Mary lived a beautiful life centered in peace and gratitude, and she bestowed these on her friends, colleagues, students, and family. She did not want us to mourn, but to celebrate our time here together. In lieu of services, cremation rites were performed by Memorial Oaks Funeral Home in Houston, TX, and the family will have a private celebration at a later date.

As you reflect on Mary’s loving kindness, consider a gift in her memory to one of these meaningful organizations: the American Cancer Society or the Texas Children’s Hospital.