Dr. Betty Speairs

Dr. Betty Speairs left this world for a better place on her birthday, February 11, 2018. She was a long time resident of The Oaks and participated in many activities and religious events there. She was a member of Noel Memorial United Methodist Church and was previously involved in Rotary with her husband. She was a loyal supporter of Southern Methodist University, LSU Shreveport and Centenary College. Dr. Speairs was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Richard K Speairs, parents Rufus N. McKnight, Sr. and Ida Langston McKnight, brother Rufus N. McKnight, Jr., and sister Virginia Doolittle and nephew Steve Reed. She is survived by her sisters, Bonnie Glanville and Jane Hughes; and twelve nieces and nephews: Dr. Susan Glanville, Rebecca Francis, Paula Glanville, Mary Escobar, Penny Matel, Beverly Glanville, Betty Cathey, Tom McKnight, Monty McKnight, Sr., Charles T. Glanville, Phil Reed, and Cliff Reed. She is also survived by 29 great-nieces and nephews and numerous great-great nieces and nephews. Dr. Speairs also leaves very dear friends Dr. Victoria LeFevers, Marsha Lawless, Dr. Laurence M. Hardy and Miles Hitchcock. Centenary College stands out as the great love of her life after her family and friends. Dr. Speairs was Professor of Mathematics at Centenary for 41 years and was honored in retirement with her appointment as Professor Emeritus and an honorary doctorate from Centenary. Dr. Speairs loved all of her students and took a special interest in them. She was an outstanding teacher and loved by her students. Though outstanding in her chosen field of mathematics, she taught her students much more than mathematics. Dr. Speairs taught all of us by word and deed about kindness, consideration, respect, dedication, loyalty and love of others before ourselves. Thousands of lives were touched in those 41 years at Centenary and beyond. A Memorial Service will be held at Brown Chapel on the Centenary campus on Friday, February 16, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Dr. William Peeples conducting the service. A reception with all invited will follow at the Whited room on the Centenary campus after the service. A service of spreading the ashes will be held at the Ouachita Mountains Biological Station in Mena, AR. Dr. Betty Speairs and Dr. Richard K. Speairs founded the Speairs Charitable Foundation for the perpetual support of the Ouachita Mountains Biological Station, a unique and important learning environment. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Speairs Charitable Foundation, Attn: Dr. L. M. Hardy, 1823 S. Brookwood Dr., Shreveport, LA, 71118 or a charity of the donor's choice.