Obituary of Paula Jeanne Spiker
Paula Jeanne Spiker, 66, of Fairmont, passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2017, at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, WV.
Paula was born on May 11, 1951 in Fairmont, a daughter of Mrs. June Bradley Spiker and the late Paul G. Spiker. She is also survived by aunts, June Conaway and Marguerite Bradley, and several cousins including Courtney and Jenny Harney, Cheryl and Steve Huff, Ray and Christine Bradley, William and Christine Bradley, and Denise and Rick Cook and many special friends.
Paula was a graduate of Fairmont Senior High School and Fairmont State College, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from West Virginia University. Paula had a stellar teaching career for 32 years, serving several schools in Parkersburg and Vienna in Wood County, including Martin Elementary, Worthington Elementary and Nash Elementary until her retirement from teaching in 2009.
Paula was a reading specialist and a Title 1 teacher and had presented papers at several national conferences. Early in her teaching career, she had also taught music and math. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa educational sorority as well as Alpha Xi Delta, her collegiate social sorority at Fairmont State.
Paula was an avid reader and a member of Lifelong Learners in Fairmont. She had a great appreciation of music and the arts.
She was a member of Life United Methodist Church in Fairmont, and had served in several volunteer capacities at the church. She helped establish the GriefShares grief recovery support program at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (now Life United Methodist Church), and was active on several committees. Paula grew up in Fleming Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fairmont, and had also been a member of Beechwood Presbyterian Church in Parkersburg and Wayside United Methodist Church in Vienna before returning to Fairmont.
Among her many interests and activities, she enjoyed volunteering at the Disability Action Center in Fairmont, where she led a Bible study with several others for the members of DAC.
A devout Christian, Paula had a passion for missions and had participated in several mission trips over the years, including a trip to Mexico and two mission trips to Russia through the United Methodist Church. Her life reflected her deep Christian faith and her compassionate heart for helping others. Many knew her as a devoted friend who was always willing and happy to help.
The family requests memorial contributions be made in Paula's memory to Life United Methodist Church, 1564 Mary Lou Retton Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554, of to the Disability Action Center, 102 Benoni Ave., Fairmont, WV 26554.
The family will receive friends at Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont, WV 26554, on Sunday, December 3, 2017, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Monday, December 4, 2017, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Monday, December 4, 2017, at 11 a.m. A committal service will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery & Mausoleum in Fairmont. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.FORDFUNERALHOMES.com.
