Jeanne Moss Spain's Obituary
Jeanne Lee Moss Spain was born January 20, 1929, to Arley Milton Moss and Nell Ruth Lipscomb in Dallas, Texas and passed away April 7, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents and sisters Lois Juanell Benton and Lou Ann Sagely and brothers John Milton Moss, Theodore Edward Moss, and Arley Addison Moss.
After attending grade school and her first two years of high school in the sandy soil of Athens, Texas, her family moved to what she thought was the disgusting mud of North Texas and she then graduated from Farmersville High School. But she said that worked out okay because that’s where she met her husband, Garvis Spain. They were married from 1950 until his death in 2008. Jeanne pointed out that he was so determined to live to 90, but only made it to 89, whereas she made it to 95 and with an amazingly good memory to boot.
Jeanne raised two daughters, Susan, and Sarita, as well as embracing the role of guardian for her youngest siblings Donna Moss Van Winkle and Addison Moss, who were both minors when they lost their parents. Donna and Addison became cherished siblings to Susan and Sarita.
Jeanne had many other roles throughout her life: Licensed Real Estate Broker, Girl Scout troop leader, Sunday school teacher, home room mother, costume maker for school plays, and substitute grandmother to neighborhood kids. She was active in the local Democratic party, a delegate to the Texas Democratic Convention and a frequent Collin County election volunteer.
For twenty years Jeanne worked for the University of Texas at Dallas in their police department, where the treats she made and shared with her co-workers were legendary. After retirement, she became a dedicated City of Plano volunteer in the early days recycling and earned the title Master Composter. She especially loved her genealogy research and was active in the Collin County Genealogical Society.
Jeanne was a very proud member of the First Ladies and United Women in Faith at First United Methodist Church in Plano where she was a member since 1952.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan Fertitta (husband Tony Fertitta) – Fort Worth, Sarita Carden (husband Paul Carden) – Los Angeles, CA, sister Donna Van Winkle (husband Lester Van Winkle) – Richmond, VA and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held April 16, 2:00 p.m. at the Restland Memorial Chapel, 13005 Greenville Avenue Road, Dallas, TX 75243, followed by burial and a reception at the Restland Event Center, 9220 Restland Road. Everyone is invited to wear bright colors, especially pink – her favorite color.
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