Ms. Bette R Spellman

Bette Ruth (Clark) Spellman, went to be with her Lord and those who had gone before her this Thursday past, January 19, 2023. Bette was born December 24, 1928 in Walker, MO to Florence Fern (Smith) Clark of Kansas City, MO (1903-1985) and James Monroe Clark of Omaha, NE (1900-1963). She had two older brothers, Kenneth Ray of Nevada, Missouri (1924-1983) and James “Jim Ed” Edward of Accomac, VA (1926-2007).

Sometime between her birth and the age of 7 her family moved to Nevada, MO where they lived and where Bette graduated from Nevada High School in 1946.

She had four children, Linda Gale (1947 - 2015), Mark Clark Spellman, Alice Ann Duckert and Kathy Sue Spellman (1955 - 1979).

In 1952 she was married to John Richard Spellman, Jr (1925-2014) of Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Together they lived in Louisiana, Greenwood and Greenville, Mississippi and eventually moved to Jackson, Mississippi in 1967 where Bette and John lived for 46 years at the same home in South Jackson until moving for a short time to Claremore, OK with their daughter and son-in-law, Alice & Larry Duckert.

For many years Bette worked alongside John doing bookkeeping and clerical work and taking care of their home and children. She also worked as a scheduling programmer at WSLI radio station in Jackson, MS and was awarded the employee of the year award at WAPT - Channel 16 sometime in the 1970’s.

After John’s death in Oklahoma, Bette moved back to Mississippi near her son, Mark, and his wife, Dawn, and just before her death was living in Byram, MS at what has been called “The Lake House”. At the time of her death she was staying with Mark & Dawn in their home in Terry, MS.

Bette loved plants and working outdoors. It has been said that whatever she touched grew and blossomed. At one time while living in South Jackson, the Clarion Ledger did an article on the park she and John had developed at their home in their back yard. With winding paths and views ending in fountains or statues there was always a place to sit and rest to watch the birds or squirrels.

She will be remembered as a wonderful cook of all types of food, as one who had an eye for decorating the interior and exterior of her home and as one who was especially fond of jewelry and fashion. QVC will miss her dearly!

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, her husband, John, and her daughters Linda and Kathy. She leaves behind her son, Mark and his wife Dawn of Terry MS, their children, Eric Nathan Spellman (Elizabeth Hall) of Brandon, MS, Page Alana Spellman-Banks of Byram, MS, Lori Adair Spellman-Townson (Bobby Dewayne) of Brewton, AL, Joshua Drew Spellman of Terry, MS and her daughter, Alice Ann Spellman-Duckert (Larry) of Tulsa, OK and Alice’s children David Harris and Leigh Harris-Thomas (Bryan) of Tulsa, OK and Melissa Parker (Linda’s child).

She loved dearly all of her grandchildren (listed above), her great-grandchildren and her great-great grandchildren. The great-grandchildren include: Dreyson Cole Thompson (Britain) of Jackson, MS, Jessica Haley Thompson-Springer (Elliot) of Jackson, MS, Hannah Marie-Clark Thompson-Hoeltzel (Austin) of Omaha, NE, Gabriel Thomas (Leigh & Bryan), Landen Nathan Spellman (Sarah) and Anabel Avery Spellman (Valerie Hospes-Spellman),Tatum and Tyler (Elizabeth Hall-Spellman), Jeremy Edward “Deuce” Banks II and Hayden Bette-Page Banks (Jeremy Banks) of Colorado Springs, Joseph Daniel Odell of Odessa, TX and Sara Dawn Odell of Pensacola, FL (Jeremy Odell), and the great-grandchildren by marriage Preston Townson (Katelyn) and Tara Townson of Brewton, AL. At the time of her death Bette was blessed with two great-great grandchildren, Graecyn Lee Thompson (Dreyson & Britain Thompson) and Iverson Jade Townson (Preston & Katelyn Townson) and was looking forward to the birth of a third by the parents of Haley & Elliot Springer.

At the time of her death she was a member of Wynndale Presbyterian Church in Byram, MS where her son, Mark, had been pastor from 2014 - 2021. If you wish to remember her please direct any memorials to Wynndale Presbyterian Church, 6600 Terry Rd, Byram, MS 39170.

The family is planning a memorial service in March with a quiet family graveside service at Lakewood South, Jackson MS.

“And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”” (Revelation 14:13, NASB95)