Janie Harvell Spooner

Published 1:36 pm Friday, November 5, 2021

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Janie Harvell Spooner, 87, of Quincy, Fla., passed away Thursday, November 4, 2021.

Janie Elizabeth Harvell was born near Whigham, Georgia, on January 31, 1934.  Her parents, Seaborn and Lura Wesley Smith Harvell, lived in the little communities of Duncanville and Higdon, in Grady County, until moving their family to Attapulgus, when Janie was approximately six years old.  She lived on the grounds of the University of Georgia Experiment Station, now known as the Attapulgus Research and Education Center, where her parents supervised the growing and harvesting of shade tobacco for many years.  It was there that she met a handsome young man named Roy Spooner and they were married from December 20, 1949, until his death in January 6, 1997.  She became the mother of her first child in November 1950 and her last in June 1971.  She devoted her life to her family, raising seven of her children to adulthood; however, she also had a deep desire to serve others, which led her to join the Attapulgus Volunteer Fire Department, working beside her husband, who was Chief, and all the wonderful volunteers.  She spent countless hours picking, canning and/or freezing vegetables and some of her family’s fondest memories are of Sunday dinners at her house where she always made sure to have enough food for anyone who might stop by to visit.  She retired from the Georgia Factory for the Blind, after working as the Supervisor of the Mattress Department for many years.  After her retirement, she enjoyed sewing, usually for others, and crocheting delicate edgings for baby blankets, burp cloths, bibs and exquisite name doilies.  Her beautiful doilies hang in many homes, with her great-grandson and his new bride receiving her final creation.  Janie Spooner truly had a heart for others that showed in her generosity and love, not only for her family, but for everyone she met.

She is survived by her children Ronnie Spooner (Peggy) and Ann Cooper (Jerry) of Faceville, Glenda Tharp (Mick) of Leesburg, Alabama, Jacquline French (Bob Dallavia) of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Ricky Spooner (Kim) of Climax, Lisa Ponder (Chuck) of Quincy and Tammy Spooner of Bainbridge; grandchildren Brandi Spooner McGahee (Brandon), Jessica Spooner Baltrus, Michael Cooper (Neely), Tony Cooper (Viviana), Kenneth Cooper (Tiffani), Shirley Deaton Hand, Ed Deaton, Kris Love, Shaun Love (Dina), Justin Tharp, William Tharp, Shannon French (Jessica), Erik French (Dianna), Dean Goff, Chris Goff (Jill), Ricky Spooner, Jr. (Jennifer) , Shannon Ponder, Russell Ponder, Chelsea Kelly Gay (Keldrick), and Frances Kelly; 41 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren and her brother, Rudolph Harvell (Darthy).  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Roy, one son, Malcolm LeeRoy Spooner, one great-great grandson, Dakota Deaton, her infant brother William Ellzie Harvell and her sister, Ellie Myrtice Harvell Brock.

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In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cool Springs Cemetery, c/o Donna Estes, 609 Old Faceville Rd., Bainbridge, GA 39819.

The graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021, at Cool Springs Cemetery. The service will be officiated by her great-grandson, Nathan M. McGahee, Youth Pastor at Local Church of Dawsonville, Ga., and Pastor Phillip Kirkland, from the Donalsonville Church of God.

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com.

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)