Annie B. Rutledge Spearman Stevens passed from this life July 22, 2020 at the age of 96. She married Robert Spearman May 14, 1942. Following his death in 1974 she wed Ralph Stevens May 12, 1982. She loved her family fiercely and was a true matriarch in every sense of the word. Annie endured the Great Depression and lived through the hardships of seeing her husband serve in World War II. She overcame tremendous losses and never once faltered under life's pressures.
Annie was an avid lover of books and reading and much to her surprise mastered a cellphone and IPad at age 92. She was a skilled seamstress and dressmaker and spent many years crafting custom clothing, wedding, prom and bridesmaid dresses and cheerleading attire from her home. Annie worked in food service with Richardson Independent School District and spent later years managing restaurants in the McKinney area. She remained sharp and alert until the very last moments of her life.
Annie was born March 3, 1924 in McKinney, TX to Finis L. Rutledge and Clara (Hughes) Rutledge. She was the loving mother of four daughters; Clara, twins Merleen and Kathleen and Christine; who died in infancy.
She was preceded in death by husbands Robert Spearman in 1974 and Ralph Stevens in 2014, daughters Merleen Dodd and Christine Spearman, grandson Cody Quick and all of her siblings, Minnie, Winnie, Katherine, Pearl, Willie Earl, Leon, Eugene, and Irene.
She is survived by daughters, Clara Dement and husband, Dwain of Van Alstyne and Kathleen Noble of Wylie. Annie leaves behind nine grandchildren, Bryan Dement and wife, Jennifer of Van Alstyne; Doug Dement and wife, Payton of Houston, Kylee King and husband, Kris of Wylie, Darcee Watson and husband, George of Wylie; Chad Noble and wife, Stacie of Caddo Mills, Cameron Noble and Chelsea Noble of Wylie, Leslee Cox and husband, Mike of Allen, and Amanda McGill and husband, Kyle of Southmayd. Her legacy will be carried on by her nineteen great-grandchildren, Allie and Erin Dement, Emry Dement, Nash Noble, Gage McNatt, Hadlee, Kori and Landri Noble, Caden Noble, Gabriel and Malakai King, Westin, Wyatt and Wade Watson, Raegan and Grayson Cox, and Kaleb, Shaiann and Hunter Adams.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 27, 2020, at Fitzhugh Cemetery, 2540 Country Club Road, Allen, Texas 75002.