Melinda Spearman

Our beloved Melinda Gayle Reid Spearman passed away much too soon, leaving her family heartbroken but grateful to have had her in our lives. She was born in Maryville, Tennessee, and lived a full life that included devotion to her family, medical service to her patients, artistic and scholastic pursuits, as well as being a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, artist, and friend. Her devotion to her Christian faith was an inspiration to her family. Her love of art, music, nursing, education, photography, antiquing, and her family dogs was her legacy to her descendants.

Melinda was predeceased by her mother, Mai Howell Reid. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Cothern and husband Ronnie and her precious granddaughter, Chloe Mai Cothern, of Walker, Louisiana; her father, Gerald Crawford Reid, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; her sisters: Susan Johansen and husband Paul of Mary Esther, Florida; Gloria Hall and husband Douglas of Niceville, Florida; Margaret Palmer and husband Larry of Snellville, Georgia; and her step-son, Michael Spearman and wife Kelly and family of Pensacola, Florida. Also surviving are many loving nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, aunts and uncle, cousins, and even more extended family members and friends.

Her family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses and doctors who guided Melinda through her medical journey for over four years. Of special note, a heartfelt thank you goes to the ICU staff of Ochsner Medical Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and niece, Rebecca Oder, all of whom were of great comfort to Melinda’s family with their loving care. On Saturday, March 4, 2017, there will be a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. at Lawrence Funeral Home, Chapel Hill, Tennessee, and interment to follow in Unionville, Tennessee. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to a charity or church of your choice in Melinda’s memory.

“Our joys will be greater; our love will be deeper; our lives will be fuller; because we shared your moment.”