Willetta Ruth Spresser (Stowers) of Griffithsville, West Virginia, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 26, 2012, at the age of 87.
Willetta was born on May 15, 1925, the youngest of the eight children of Andrew Stowers and Mattie Stowers (Richardson). Willetta graduated from Duval High School in Griffithsville and was so proud that she shared her alma mater with Chuck Yeager who graduated ahead of her. When WWII broke out, she trained as a draftswoman where she honed her design skills. Willetta married Paul Spresser and had three children, Paul, Jeanne and Susan, whom she raised in Toledo, Ohio, where Paul worked as a top engineer for Owens-Illinois Glass Factory. In 1971, Willetta moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she developed a successful career as a kitchen designer and became the sole proprietor of a kitchen and bath company. She was an amazing artist, designing beautiful kitchens for many high-end homes in the Phoenix area, and running her own business for 20 years before returning to her home in Griffithsville where she helped care for her two aging sisters. She was also proud to have been instrumental in getting a proper bridge built connecting Stowers Road to Highway 3 after she returned, and for helping organize a fundraiser to put in a community walking track behind Duval school.
Willetta attended the Alum Creek Church of Christ along with her sister, Alberta Stowers, who preceded her in death as did her other siblings, Helen Fennel, Opal Plott, Vena Gartin, Herman Stowers, Harold Stowers, and Ronald Stowers.
Willetta is survived by her three children, Paul “Tim” Spresser, Jeanne Kyle, and Susan Miller; thirteen grandchildren, Mary, Jacynth, Leila, Joy, Deborah, Timothy, Steven, Jonathan, Lara, Timothy, Sarah, Amorette, and Brendan; and by ten great grandchildren. Her family is spread out around the country and around the world, living in California, New Mexico, Washington, Texas, as well as France and England. Willetta’s homestead in Griffithsville will be maintained by her daughter, Jeanne.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Hospice and all the staff at Cedar Ridge Center where she received the kindest, most compassionate and attentive care for the last two years. With the geographical obstacles, it was a great comfort to know she was so lovingly cared for. Also heartfelt thanks to Victoria Hudson for the many years of faithful work she did for Willetta and the numerous times she went far beyond the call of duty to look after and care for Willetta when she was in need. Also, many thanks to Landin Harper and his family for caring for Willetta’s homestead in our absence – it is an enormous comfort to have him there.
A graveside service will be held at Powell Cemetery Hamlin, weather permitting, at noon on Monday December 31st, where Willetta will be buried next to her parents and siblings.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please only send cards to 66 Stowers Road, Griffithsville, WV 25521 or make a donation to http://strikedebt.org/ a charitable organization that helps people who otherwise would lose their homes due to hard times and missing mortgage payments.
We are so sorry to hear of your granddaughters death. I hope and pray that God can get you through this terrible time in your life. So Sorry…..