Milbra Anderson Spears

Milbra Anderson Spears, a resident of Leonia, Florida, passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2023, three months short of her 100th birthday. She was born December 18, 1923, daughter of James and Allie Weeks Anderson, in Holmes County, Florida. Following graduation at Leonia High School, she left home to begin her working career as a teletype operator at Eglin Field during World War II. She could tell others about the mission of Doolittle's Raiders because she experienced it at work, not a history book.

In 1943, Milbra married the handsome, young man she truly loved and adored, Wilmer Spears. Her working career included serving as a roving, school secretary for New Hope, Westville, and Prosperity Elementary schools; retiring after twenty-three years from the American Bank in Geneva, Alabama.

She dedicated her life to the Lord early in her adulthood and made sure her daily life was pleasing to Him. For fifty years, she served as secretary/treasurer for Beulah Anna Baptist Church. As a member, she was always willing to do whatever her church needed done.  Milbra was an old-fashioned wife and mother, always striving to serve her family in full capacity, no matter how much time or energy it required.  As the matriarch of the Spears family, she set the high standard from Galatians 5:22 for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, meekness, and temperance.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of forty-five years, Wilmer Spears; daughter-in-law, Sharon Spears; grandson-in-law, Barry Bishop; and four brothers, Bruce, Leamon, John, and Paul Anderson.

Milbra is survived by one son, Dalton Spears and wife, Lyndia of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; one daughter, Hilda Spears Davis and husband, David of Westville, Florida; seven grandchildren, Laurie Bishop of Niceville, Florida, Stacey Leddon and husband, Jamie of Gaskin, Florida, Robert Spears and wife, Lea of Freeport, Florida, Lyle Davis and wife, Erin of Crestview, Florida, Joel Davis of DeFuniak Springs, Russell Kent and wife, Donah, and Leslie Kent, both of Tallahassee, Florida; fourteen great-grandchildren, Grayson, Clay, Emily, Mike, Bethany, Jackson, Brady, Josiah, Carson, McKenna, Myles, Raelynn, Adalynn, and Elijah; and one great-great grandchild, Kendall; one sister, Marclyn Harrison; and loving, numerous nieces and nephews; and her precious church family.

A time of visitation will be held Friday, September 8, 2023 in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 1474 State Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Beulah Anna Baptist Church beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Minister Joel Davis officiating.  Committal services will follow in the Beulah Anna Baptist Church Cemetery.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.