Obituary for Frances A. Spelman
Frances Alma Spelman died peacefully on January 8, 2023 with family by her side. She was 100-years old.
Frances was born on October 30, 1922 to August Schubert and Alice Swinney, in St. Louis, Missouri. She met her future husband, John Godfrey Spelman, when they were just 12-years old. They were married on her birthday, October 30, 1945, in St. Louis shortly after John returned from serving in WWII. While in St. Louis, the couple welcomed two children, a son and a daughter. The family moved to Hartford City, Indiana in 1950, where Frances had their third child, another son. In 1957, the family moved to their final family home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After moving to Ann Arbor, Frances earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Guidance & Counseling, both from Eastern Michigan University. Frances worked for several companies, concluding with eight years at Glacier Hills Senior Living Community before retiring.
Frances treasured her family, and held a very special place in all of their hearts. She collected clowns, elephants, and Betty Boop. She was most known for her love of all things purple. She was adored by all that knew her. Over the years, she enjoyed participating in several social events, including bowling, bridge and euchre groups. She loved to sew, making clothes and other special items for her children and grandchildren. After she and her husband retired, they celebrated by becoming world travelers, visiting many memorable destinations, such as Italy, France and the Canadian Rockies.
Frances is survived by her daughter, Catherine Bradley; her son, Michael (Cindy) Spelman; eight grandchildren, including Brian (Sandi) Bradley, Janet (Gaspar) Bradley-Mendez, Steven Bradley, Angela (James) Azar, Jacob Spelman, Joseph (Tana) Spelman, Michael (Katie) Spelman and Gina Spelman; and sixteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her three sisters, Edna Carson, Jessie Guse and Pearl Schuman; her husband; her oldest son, John Spelman; her son-in-law, Christian Bradley; and her grand-daughter-in-law, Brandy Bradley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday January 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 530 Elizabeth Street, Ann Arbor, with a viewing starting at 9:30 a.m. Interment will immediately follow at St. Thomas Cemetery, 300 Sunset Road, Ann Arbor. The family invites all to attend a luncheon after the burial back at St. Thomas. The reception hall will be open after Mass for those unable to travel to the burial.
Frances was born on October 30, 1922 to August Schubert and Alice Swinney, in St. Louis, Missouri. She met her future husband, John Godfrey Spelman, when they were just 12-years old. They were married on her birthday, October 30, 1945, in St. Louis shortly after John returned from serving in WWII. While in St. Louis, the couple welcomed two children, a son and a daughter. The family moved to Hartford City, Indiana in 1950, where Frances had their third child, another son. In 1957, the family moved to their final family home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After moving to Ann Arbor, Frances earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Guidance & Counseling, both from Eastern Michigan University. Frances worked for several companies, concluding with eight years at Glacier Hills Senior Living Community before retiring.
Frances treasured her family, and held a very special place in all of their hearts. She collected clowns, elephants, and Betty Boop. She was most known for her love of all things purple. She was adored by all that knew her. Over the years, she enjoyed participating in several social events, including bowling, bridge and euchre groups. She loved to sew, making clothes and other special items for her children and grandchildren. After she and her husband retired, they celebrated by becoming world travelers, visiting many memorable destinations, such as Italy, France and the Canadian Rockies.
Frances is survived by her daughter, Catherine Bradley; her son, Michael (Cindy) Spelman; eight grandchildren, including Brian (Sandi) Bradley, Janet (Gaspar) Bradley-Mendez, Steven Bradley, Angela (James) Azar, Jacob Spelman, Joseph (Tana) Spelman, Michael (Katie) Spelman and Gina Spelman; and sixteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her three sisters, Edna Carson, Jessie Guse and Pearl Schuman; her husband; her oldest son, John Spelman; her son-in-law, Christian Bradley; and her grand-daughter-in-law, Brandy Bradley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday January 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 530 Elizabeth Street, Ann Arbor, with a viewing starting at 9:30 a.m. Interment will immediately follow at St. Thomas Cemetery, 300 Sunset Road, Ann Arbor. The family invites all to attend a luncheon after the burial back at St. Thomas. The reception hall will be open after Mass for those unable to travel to the burial.