Eloise Virginia Spann

Eloise Virginia Spann, age 85, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2019 after a brief illness. She was born May 1, 1934 in Birmingham, Alabama to Carl Vienne and Edna Penfield (Hightower) Hurd.

She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition from Auburn University in 1956, and continued her education at the University of Akron, receiving a Master’s in Family Development in 1985.

Virginia married William Ben Spann, Jr. on August 26, 1956 in Birmingham, AL. They relocated to Akron, OH were she worked for the East Ohio Gas Co. as a registered dietician for seven years before starting their family.

Ben and Virginia had two children, Sandra Lee (Spann) Leissler and William Ben Spann, III. Ben’s career with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. transferred them several times, eventually bringing them back to Ohio, where they resided in Bath Township for 45 years.

She was active in her community – member of First United Methodist Church in Akron, Bath Volunteers for Service, AAUW and College Club. Her two passions were her grandchildren and genealogy.

Preceded in death by her husband, Ben; and her son, Bill; Virginia is survived by daughter, Sandra Lee (Spann) Leissler; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Jo (Larsen) Spann; and grandchildren, Cassandra, Nicholas, Jonathan, George, Sharon, Lindsey, Ben, Jessica and Rebecca.

Services will be held 1 P.M. TUESDAY at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., with Dr. Howard Pippin officiating. Interment at Moore’s Chapel Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Ben and Virginia Spann Scholarship Fund at the First United Methodist Church of Akron, 263 E. Mill St., Akron, OH 44308.Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road, Akron, OH 44333. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)