Obituary of Linda Lou Spears

Linda E. Spears, 71, died at 10:30am on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at her home in Dry Creek with her family. Linda (Eicher) Spears was born April 7, 1946 in DeRidder, LA a child of Jay D. and Jean Eicher. Linda grew up on Highway 26 just west of the Wye and the Sugar Bowl Skating Rink. Her father, Jay D. Eicher operated a gun shop at this location until his death in 1983. Linda attended Sugartown High School and graduated from East Beauregard High School. In 1964 she began her college education at Northwestern State University, later transferring to McNeese State University, where she obtained a bachelor's and Master's degree in Education. Linda was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child, Dena began kindergarten. She taught first grade at East Beauregard High until she retired with 20 years of service. After her retirement, she expanded her work for Jesus Christ. She answered the need for a Youth Director at Dry Creek Bible Church, even though she had no experience with older students. She learned to love high school students and she loved every minute with the students for ten years. Only her health stopped her from working with her youth. Linda was a member of Dry Creek Bible Church. She taught Sunday school and was church clerk for forty plus years. Linda knew Jesus Christ as her personal savior. Linda was a devoted grandmother. She loved every moment spent caring for and experiencing life with her grandchildren. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years L.D. Spears Jr.; son, Dr. Greg Spears of Crossroads, TX along with his children Chandler and EmilyAnn Spears; daughter, Dena Spears Hardwick and husband Scott of Dry Creek along with their children Will, Rylan, Adley, Alden, and Lawton Hardwick; nephew, Daniel Dyer of Ft. Walton FL; niece Claudia West and husband Rick of DeRidder; Five brothers and sisters, Don Eicher and wife Teresa of Vidor TX, Janice Young and husband D.J. of DeRidder, Dennis Eicher and wife, Karen of Indianapolis, IN, Patsy Young and husband Ezra of DeRidder, Roy Eicher and wife Elizabeth of Cincinnati, OH; numerous nephews and nieces, along with a host of close friends and a loving church family. Visitation will be held on Wednesday August 23, 2017 at Hixson Funeral Home from the hours of 5-9PM and will resume the following day at Dry Creek Bible Church at 10AM. Services will be at the church at 3PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Camp Pearl Ministries or Dry Creek Bible Church. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com