Mary Ellen Spiller

Mary Ellen Spiller, 87, of Jacksboro, passed away on Monday, March 7, 2022, at Jacksboro, Texas. The funeral memorial service will be celebrated at the First United Methodist Church of Jacksboro on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Jacksboro under the direction of Coker Funeral Home of Jacksboro. Visitation with the family will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 9th, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Mary was a legal secretary for her husband, James M. Spiller, who practiced law for 52 years as a solo practitioner and then with the firm of Spiller & Spiller in Jacksboro. Mary also worked for 60 years for Spiller Title, believed to be the oldest family-owned title company in the State of Texas, formed in 1888. Mary was born on October 5, 1934, in Grandfield, Oklahoma, the last of eight children, to Guy and Lillian Hutson. She graduated from Devol High School, and later from Draughon’s Business College in Wichita Falls. While in Wichita Falls, she met Jim when he served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls. Jim and Mary were married on August 18, 1956. They then moved to Austin, where Jim later received Bachelor of Laws and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in 1959. Upon Jim’s graduation, they moved to Jacksboro. Survivors include a son, David Spiller and wife, Ginger of Jacksboro; daughter, Karen Forbis and husband, Chris, of Decatur; daughter-in-law, Laura Spiller, of Houston; grandsons, Mason Spiller and wife, Alexandra, of Jacksboro, Reid Spiller and wife, Haley, of Jacksboro, Alex Forbis and wife, Rachael, of Pflugerville, Joel Forbis and wife, Murphy, of Decatur, Drew and Kyle Spiller, both of Houston; and great grandchildren, John Shepherd Spiller, Carson James Spiller and Caroline Sloane Spiller of Jacksboro. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Jim; her son, Scott A. Spiller; and her brothers, Weldon, Harold and Raymond Hutson, and her sisters, Marie Moran, Jerry Glover, Jean Wells and Joyce Bryan. Mary was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Jacksboro, where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. She was also a member of the Business & Professional Women’s Club of Jacksboro. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, dedicated employee to the family’s businesses, and a friend to many. The family suggests that, if so desired, memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church, 406 N. Main Street, Jacksboro, TX 76458; Concerned Citizens, 400 E. Pine Street, Jacksboro, TX 76458; or any charity of the donor’s choice.

Mary Ellen Spiller

October 5, 1934 - March 7, 2022