Louise Spears' Obituary
Louise Marie Halphen was born on January 20, 1938, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Louise Elizabeth Olivier and Leonce Halphen, Sr. She was lovingly delivered by a midwife at her Aunt Bea’s home.
Louise was raised in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward alongside her siblings, Winnola Theresa Willis and Oscar Newman Halphen, affectionately known as “Tony”. She was baptized and raised in the Catholic faith. She attended Joseph A. Craig Elementary School and Gardett High School and later graduated from Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans.
In 1957, at the age of 19, Louise married Anthony Seymour Spears (also known as Tony) and relocated with him to his hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi, where they welcomed two daughters, Sabrina Maria Spears and Angela Louise Spears. During this time, Louise also helped her husband raise her younger sister and brothers-in-law following the passing of their mother.
In 1963, Louise and Anthony relocated to California, joining her mother and siblings. During this time, she reconnected with her friends from the South, the Edgerlys, the Royals, the Hicks, and the McDonalds and maintained these cherished relationships as lifelong friends. After ten years of marriage, Louise became a single parent and worked at Grant Funeral Home while continuing to raise her daughters with strength, resilience, and determination.
In 1970, Gracious Lady Spears transferred to Immaculate Heart of Mary from her home court in Mississippi. She served the Court in many ways. She served as Grand Lady for three two-year terms and assistant junior Daughter Director. Gracious Lady Spears chaired many of our fund-raising activities. She represented us as a delegate to many of our District Conferences and National Conventions. Lady Spears was a Charter Member of Ladies of Grace Rosa L. Cassanave Chapter 15. She continued to work on both groups until her health declined. Although she was not able to physically participate, Louise still donated to their fundraising activities.
Louise later pursued higher education at the College of Holy Names from 1970 to 1972 through a federally funded program grant. During this time, she formed lifelong friendships with Jackie, Gloria, Mildred, Linda and Valeria, relationships that endured for decades. At the conclusion of her second year at Holy Names, the program students were transferred to California State University, hayward, where Louise earned her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education in 1974.
In 1974, Louise began her career as an elementary school teacher with the Oakland Unified School District, a role she fulfilled with passion, dedication, and a deep commitment to her students.
In 1976, Louise enrolled in a rigorous 10-month accelerated Master of Education program through Pepperdine University. Classes were held every other weekend in San Jose, California. Louise and her friends traveled tirelessly for ten months and successfully earned their Master’s degrees in Education.
Louise retired in 2020 from the Oakland Unified School District. In retirement, she continued to travel and enjoy life surrounded by family and friends. She had the joy and pleasure of having taught her three granddaughters and her eldest grandson prior to retiring, creating special memories that her family will always cherish.
Beyond professional accomplishments, Louise found joy in cooking, reading, dancing, and spending quality time with her family. She had a deep love for travel and explored destinations around the world. Later in life, she purchased a timeshare so she could share her love of travel with her family.
After years of chronic pain, Louise H. Spears was blessed to pass away peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonce Halphen Sr. and Louise Elizabeth Olivier; her brother, Oscar Newman Halphen; her granddaughter, Regina Louise Spears, and her godson, Dan Ward.
She leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Winnola Willis; her daughters, Sabrina Spears of Oakland, California, and Angela Spears of Vallecitos, California; her granddaughters, Tiffinee and TanTasha; seven great-grandchildren, Onajee, Hailey, Mekhi, Hasan, Dallas, Houston, and Hendricks; one great-great-grandson, Onajee Jr.; her goddaughters, Dani and Danisha; and a host of cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.
Louise will be remembered for her strength, compassion, dedication to education, love of family and unwavering spirit. She was truly blessed.
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