Spiers, Josephine Hurley

Josephine (Jo) H. Spiers, 84 of Radford, died peacefully on Sunday, July 15, 2007, with her children by her side. She was born on March 22, 1923 in Stuart, Va. to the late Willie Neal and Josephine Pratt Hurley.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John B. Spiers, Jr.; her brother, William Neal Hurley; and grandson, Justin Benjamin Spiers.

Jo is survived by her children, Sherry Spiers and husband, Philip Spratt, of Tallahassee, Fla., Vikki Spiers Catellacci of Paauilo, Hawaii, John B. Spiers, III and wife, Valerie Paul, of Ft. Pierce, Fla. and Joanne Spiers Moche and husband, Spero Moche, Jr., of Floyd; and three grandchildren, Alima Catellacci, Lindsay Josephine Spiers and Alexander Spratt. In addition, Jo is survived by her sister, Jacqueline Hinsley; sisters-in-law, Katherine Hurley and Anne Hoving and her husband, John; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

Jo was an athlete during her formative years and a particular star on the basketball court. As a high school student, she was inducted in to the National Beta Club for strength of character and achievement. She graduated from Stuart High School in 1941, where her beauty was recognized when she won the Miss Stuart High School beauty pageant in 1940.

Jo received a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Radford College in 1945. She majored in Physical Education and minored in Social Studies and Art. She was a member of the Lambda Sigma Pi Sorority, reporter for the Cotillion Club, Assistant Editor of the school newspaper, Grapurchat, House President of the Madame Russell dormitory, and a member of the Athletic Association and the student Council.

She continued to be physically active throughout her life, playing golf and tennis, swimming, and gardening. Jo also had tremendous talent as an artist, painting throughout her life in watercolor and oils. Jo and her late husband, Bunny Spiers, enjoyed 56 years of marriage. They enjoyed their numerous motorcycle trips, visits to their children, cruises, as well as trips abroad.

A church service will be held Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church, followed by a private family interment in the Grace Memorial Garden. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jo’s name to either the Grace Memorial Garden, Harvey & Fourth Streets, Radford, VA 24141 or the Warm Hearth Foundation, 1000 Lytton Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24060.

The Spiers family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com