VELLA MAE SPISER

Vella Mae Fowler Spiser, 92, passed peacefully on Sunday, December 19, 2010, in San Angelo. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Massie Funeral Home Riverside chapel, with Rev. Mark Riggins officiating . Burial will follow at the Old Runnels Cemetery, FM 2887, Ballinger, Texas. A catered visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, December 21, 2010, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at Robert Massie Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be John King, Wesley Crawford, Chris Curry, Phil Curry, Louis Taylor and Geoffrey Connor. Vella Mae was born on May 20, 1918, in Nueces County, Texas. She was the daughter of Harold B. Fowler and Elizabeth Steine Fowler, and grew up in Ballinger, Texas. In 1936, she married Jack Ashton, also of Ballinger, where she lived for many years, raising their two daughters and working at Heidenheimer's. This retail experience was followed by 40 years of esteemed service at Hemphill-Wells, in San Angelo, until her retirement. Mae was very outgoing, with a love of fishing, hunting, dancing and gardening. She was an avid domino player with a specialty in 42, and anyone who played against her knew better than to try to outbid her. Mae was a longtime member of St. Paul Presbyterian Church, the Rebekah Lodge, the American Legion, and the Red Hat Society. Mae was a person who always looked for the good in people, as well as the silver lining in challenging situations. She cherished her many friendships and loved her family very much. Her wonderful sense of humor and easy laugh will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Vella Mae was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Patsy Lou Underwood King; and grandson, Stephen Bird. She is survived by her daughter, Marvelle Campbell, of Seguin; grandsons Michael Bird and spouse Lori of San Antonio; Lee Jay Bird and wife, Karen, of New Braunfels; Brennan Underwood and wife, Sydney Alderman Underwood, of Abilene; and granddaughter, Rebecca Gomez, of Seguin; and four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by special friends and loving caregivers, Sandy Barnes, Cathy Cobler, Lavonia Kerby, Louis Taylor, Wesley Crawford, and Roy Guevara, all of San Angelo. The family requests any memorial donations go to St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 11 North Park Street, San Angelo, TX 76901. Interim Hospice Foundation 3402 Green Meadow Suite B, San Angelo, Texas 76904