Jean Esther (Witt) Spicer

The sweetest lady on Earth, Jean Esther Witt Spicer left for her heavenly home late on Saturday night, January 16, 2021.  Having been diagnosed with COVID just 12 days prior, she fought the good fight, anchored by her love for her family and her Lord.  In the end, the Lord chose to call her home. In answer to many fervent prayers, she passed peacefully, listening to hymns and Christian music.

To Jean, family was what it was all about…that and her devotion to Christ.  She read her Bible or other devotionals every morning.  And as she got older and was unable to get out to church on Sunday mornings, she would faithfully rise early and turn on the TV and go to church with Dr. Charles Stanley. 

Jean did not just read about the gospel and watch it on TV, she lived it.  She was an angel on Earth to many and a devout Christian who always gave her heart to others and unfailingly thought of others before thinking of herself.  She was kind, gracious, nonjudgmental, and NEVER said an unkind word about anyone or anything.  If there was something she maybe didn’t like or embrace, the worst anyone ever heard her say was “well, that’s just not my cup of tea.”

She was also hardworking and fiercely loyal to her employers who included her own Dad when she was a teenager working for their family grocery store, the Penny Can Market. After graduation from Bosse High School, she became a valued employee in several businesses and about the time most people think of retiring, she went to work for her sister, Jo Ann Vaughn and was instrumental in helping her build Action Temporary Service. The company later sold and became Action Staffing and Jean stayed on, working with her new boss and forever friend, Kim Devine. Jean worked nearly full time until she was 91. The only reason she stopped working was “because she was laid off”!  She was told when she went to file for unemployment benefits that they believed she was the oldest person in Indiana who had ever filed for unemployment.  And she most certainly had earned it!  Talk about a work ethic, in all she probably worked nearly 75 years of her life.

Whether you called her Mom, Aunt Jean, Nana, Grandma Jean, or Jeanne/Jeanie all would agree that her house was the best place to visit.  The door was always open and the candy jar on the table was always full.  And don’t forget the nuts, popcorn, sweet tea and ice cream!  And the basketball games on TV.  The children were always especially welcomed.  Truly the day she looked forward to the most each week when she was in her home, was Sunday because she knew Ryder and Olivia would be coming in the door when their mom and dad, Jason and Melissa brought in her groceries.

Jean Esther Spicer was born to Carl August and Thelma Dale Dixon Witt on October 21, 1922 in Griffin, Indiana.  She was the oldest of 4 children and was preceded in death by her other 3 siblings, Carl Richard Witt (Tabby), Doris Lee Witt Burns (Tommy), and Jo Ann Witt Vaughn (Art).  Her husband, Russell Spicer, her parents and niece, Suzi Vaughn and nephew, Rick Witt also went before her. 

Before we go further in mentioning Jean’s family, it should be understood that with Jean, once you were in the family, you were always in.  There were no in laws/steps/halves/exes.  You were just family.  And then there were extra families that truly no one really knew if they were blood related or not as they have been around for 3 or more generations in our lives, most notably those from the Penny Can and from Action Staffing but also from church.  So, for the sake of brevity, we will just call them all children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as she did. 

Jean leaves behind her children, the lights of her life, Mike (Deb) Rouser of Versailles, KY and Blaze (David) Gomez of Watkinsville, GA.  She literally lived for the holidays when Blaze, David, Josh and ChiChi (her granddog) would come to visit.  There was always much eating, talking and shopping while they were there and to Jean it felt like heaven on earth the whole time.  She also eagerly awaited Mike’s arrival as he drove over regularly to stay the night with her for the past few years.  Mike and Jean enjoyed taking little trips around town to reminiscence about places they lived, or a drive out to Mayse’s Farm to load her up with farm fresh goodies.

Both children and their spouses did much to arrange care for Jean these past few years and she was most deeply appreciative for all of it and for her kind caregivers, Emily Luciano and Talina Heavilin who Jean considered family.  The family will be forever grateful, too, for the friends who checked in on her and loved her during her later years, Jeff and Jenanne Locker. Thanks, too, to all of those who cared for her at River Pointe.

Other beloved children who have been a big part of her life since she married their dad, Russ, in the 1970’s are Patricia (Gary) Johnston of Avon, IN and Dick (Dona) Spicer of Orlando, FL.  Jean relished the calls and visits from all of them and all of their families.  All agree that Jean made the world a better place. 

Her grandchildren are Jason (Melissa) Rouser, Joshua Gomez, Ashley (Brian) Miller, Christine Rouser, Brooke (Sean) Marble, Matt (Dayna) Johnston, and Julie (Jerry) Duncan.  And they in turn have blessed her with numerous great grandchildren who were the joys of her life.

Jean also loved and was adored by her many nieces and nephews and all of their families:  Barb (Kenny) Yates, Jenny (Rob) Smith, Linda (Lon) Akers, the 3 B’s and hubbies from Texas, Barbara (Tim) Miller, Brenda Southworth, and Bev (Mike) Konzem, and most especially Sheri Jean Vaughn, her namesake who faithfully called to chat with her EVERY night, without fail.

Her family and her friends who are family, all give thanks to God for blessing us with Jean in our lives for so many years.  We could not have possibly asked for a better example of being the kind of person that Christ wants all of us to be.  She now surely rests in His peace. 

And we are grateful to know, in large part thanks to Jean’s unwavering example of faith to us all, that she is NOT old or sick anymore (thanks, Olivia for that reminder!).  And we all look forward to a glorious reunion with her one day.  God be with us till we meet at Jesus’ feet! 

For those wishing to express their condolences, please go to Boone Funeral Home at boonefuneralhome.net.

As Jean’s passion was always for the Sanctity of Life and Christian Education, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, you may consider donating to any of the following in Jean’s memory:  Bethel Church, Evansville Lutheran School, or Vanderburgh County Right to Life. 

A memorial service will be held later when it is safer to do so.  An announcement will be posted on the Boone Funeral Home website when the date and time are chosen. A Live Stream will be available beginning twenty minutes prior to the service time. Please visit Boone Funeral Home’s Facebook page and click on the link provided. 

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