Janice Conner Spreen

Faith became reality for Janice Conner Spreen as she left this earthly life May 15, 2024, in Richmond, Texas.

Janice was born on May 21, 1932, to Robert and Lois Conner.  The growing family lived in the various central and Hill country towns of Coleman, Whon, Winters, Mason, Junction, Ballinger and finally Menard.  Janice, a 1950 graduate of Ballinger High School and the December 1st, 1951 bride of Alvin Spreen, stayed behind making Ballinger home until 2013 when she moved closer to her siblings and children.

Like many others born during the depression, Janice watched her industrious parents follow scarce jobs, stretch limited funds, and develop creative skills.  She honed her own talents: designing and fabricating custom draperies and décor; creating a variety of costumes for ballerinas, school twirlers, and Barbie dolls; sewing clothing for children, adults, and wedding gowns for many local brides; teaching children and adult Bible classes; decorating homes; creating store displays; feeding scores of hungry cowhands; and participating in various civic and church groups.

Those clubs and groups include lifetime membership at Ballinger’s First Baptist Church while serving in multiple positions there, Ballinger Rodeo Auxiliary Association, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Beta Sigma Phi, Ballinger Bicentennial Planning Committee, the inaugural Ethic Festival committee, Carnegie Library Restoration Committee and Library Board. It wasn’t all work for Janice, there was a great deal of fun: couples 42 (domino) club, couples and ladies bridge clubs, ladies Mahjong group, china painting, camping on the river, and always hosting parties and holiday dinners.

Janice outlived many of those dearest to her: husband Alvin, parents Robert and Lois Conner, Spreen family members, and treasured friends - Betty and Ben Parrish and Dorothy Dankworth.

Keeping Janice (and Alvin) beloved in their memories are their children Gay Ann (James) Fuller, Robb Spreen; grandchildren Kathrin (Ryan) Yokubaitis, Madeleine (Colt) Adams, John (Tasha) Fuller; greatgrandchildren: Addison Fuller, Marie, Audrey and Fuller Yokubaitis, Caden and Sofie Fuller, and baby Adams; siblings Adelaide Weber, Lynn Conner, Charles (Shirley) Conner, Gene (Sharon) Conner; sisters-in-law Julia Spreen and Joyce Lee Spreen; several cousins including D. Joyce Spreen and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be at 11:30 a.m. June 3rd at First Baptist Church, Ballinger, Texas, with Marty Akins and longtime friend and Pastor Emeritus Ferris Akins officiating.  Honorary pall bearers are her grandsons John Fuller, Ryan Yokubaitis, Colt Adams, along with Tommy and Greg Parrish.

The family is grateful for the care given Janice by the staffs of Clayton Oaks Living Center of Richmond, Texas and Allstar Hospice of Sugar Land, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial donations such as to Ballinger Carnegie Library or Ballinger First Baptist Church, and more importantly your remembrance of her through acts of kindness and service to family, friends, and those in need.