KATHY MARTIN-SPAKES

Kathy Martin-Spakes, 59, of Hueytown, AL, formerly of Gadsden, AL, and born in Odessa, TX, passed away November 4, 2018. A graduate from Gadsden High School, Kathy Martin-Spakes attended Gadsden State, earning an associate degree in Business. She worked for many years as an assistant to attorney Clarence Rhea, then took a job at the local Red Cross working tirelessly, traveling the United States and to two foreign countries, helping with disaster relief. She was later transferred to Tuscaloosa where she was made the Regional Manager of the American Red Cross in Alabama. After some time, she moved to Birmingham, where she began working on workman's compensation cases at Brentwood Services. She loved all her jobs and her co-workers. Kathy was a proud member of First Baptist Church of Pleasant Grove. She was on the Board of Directors of 13th Place, A.I.D.E. (Alabamians Interested in Deaf Education), and The Humane Society. She also volunteered for numerous other organizations. She was a Gadsden Jayceettes president, and later was elected by an overwhelming majority to become the first woman president of the Alabama Jaycees soon after women were legally allowed admittance to the formally all male organization. Over the years, Kathy accomplished many things and received several local, state, and national awards and honors, but the greatest accomplishment and honor in her life was her son, Jon Lucas, whom she loved and loves with all her heart, mind, and soul. She will always be with him, and have him in a protective embrace in her arms and wings. Kathy is survived by her son Jon Lucas; sisters Brenda Vaughan Rogers and Misty Martin; chosen sister: Kelli Varnon; nephew James Keith Lee; niece Kristina Vaughan (Tony Dutton); great-nephew Ian Vaughan; great-niece Kyra Vaughan; aunts Kathy Jones (Milan, NM), Mary Brewster (Rhinehart, AL), and Ivy Hendrix (GA); special friends Jeanna Dunn, Dale Bradford, and Teresa Garmon. Visitation will be on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Pleasant Grove, 724 4th St, Pleasant Grove, AL 35127. Phone: 205-744-7061. The funeral service will be at 4:00 PM at the Church. In Lieu of Flowers, Family Requests That Memorials Be Made To: Two By Two Animal Rescue or your local Humane Society, The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, and/or First Baptist Church of Pleasant Grove Food Pantry.