Inez Spurlock

Helen Inez Gilliland Spurlock, age 90, of Birmingham, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

Mrs. Spurlock was born on June 18, 1929, in the Branchville community of St. Clair County Alabama, to the late Hazel S. and Vernon H. Gilliland. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, David M. Spurlock; her son David W. Spurlock; her son Stanley R. Spurlock and daughter-in-law Ann C. Spurlock; her grandson Kurt M. Spurlock (Jenny Evans), and great-grandsons Arthur O. Spurlock and Leo C. Spurlock; her grandson Chad M. Spurlock; her grandson Wade M. Spurlock; her brother Hobert J. Gilliland; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers David Buell Gilliland, Louis C. Gilliland, and Mitchell R. Gilliland.

Mrs. Spurlock grew up on Chandler Mountain, near Steele, St. Clair County, Alabama. She was a graduate of Asheville High School and Jacksonville State Teachers College (now Jacksonville State University) (B.S. Ed. 1950). Her career was teaching, and over the years she taught in the public schools of Birmingham, Jefferson County, and Blount County, where she taught English and physical education in both elementary and high schools. When she was young, she played basketball; and for many years she enthusiastically played and watched tennis. She long enjoyed playing bridge with her neighbors and friends.

Mrs. Spurlock was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and, in the last few years of her life, great-grandmother. Always loving and encouraging to her sons and grandsons, she took interest and pride in their work and accomplishments; and she delighted in every photograph and video she could see of her two little great-grandsons.

A graveside service will be held at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, 1591 Gadsden Highway, on Monday, June 1, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., preceded by visitation at 1:00 p.m., at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home.