Catherine Aaron Lucas Hancock Spray

Catherine Aaron Lucas Hancock Spray received her promotion to go be with JESUS on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at the Malvern Hospital.
She was born to Sarah Elizabeth Caple and Lee Roy Aaron on April 29, 1927 in Athens, AR. She graduated from Russellville High School and then resided in Fort Worth, TX until moving to Malvern in 1970.
She was preceded in death by: Her parents; Brothers – Lee Roy Aaron, Jr. and Austin Carrol Aaron; Sisters – Juanita Aaron and Joy West. Maxene Sanders was also a part of Catherine’s extended family and dearly loved; Her best friend and neighbor, that was like a sister to her – Juanita Byers (Woodrow); And three wonderful husbands – Alvis Earl Lucas, L. A. “Hank” Hancock, and Willis Spray.
With each husband, and as her extended family grew, she accepted and loved each one as her own. For her, it meant more family members that she could hug, love, care for, and pray for.
She is survived by: One brother – Theo Aaron (Corine) of Azle, TX; Two sisters – Virginia Fazzio (Frank) of Kennedale, TX and Claudia Davis of Arlington, TX;
From her marriage with Alvis Lucas – son, Steven Lucas of Malvern and daughter, Derenda Lucas Gibbs (Tim) of East End, AR; Grandchildren – Neal Lucas (Nicole) of Midlothian, TX, Nicholas Lucas of Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Lacey Pierce of Malvern, Blake Gibbs of East End, and Seth Gibbs of East End. Great Grandchildren – Xander Lucas and Alexa Fae Lucas; From her marriage to “Hank” Hancock – son, Gilbert Totten (Gin) of Hurst, TX. Grandchildren – Gil Totten, Jr. of Saginaw, TX, Ronnie Totten (Dianna) of Colleyville, TX, and Shelly Mays of North Richland Hills, TX; Great Grandchildren – Kali Totten, Kari Totten, Molly Totten, Mason Totten, Brandon Westbrook, Jayden Mays, and Bryce Mays. Also, Catherine considered Gin’s sisters to be like her own daughters. Kay Fletcher (David) of Hot Springs, AR, Hazel Porterfield of Bismarck, AR, Ruth McKim (Alton) and great granddaughter Madison McKim of Donaldson, AR; From her marriage to Willis Spray – son, Randy Spray (Janet) of McCrory, AR; Grandchildren – Brian Spray and Jessica Spray; There are numerous nieces and nephews who were deeply loved by their “Aunt Kitty”; Her Church Family; Her neighbors and many close friends.
She was a member of Taylor’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where she taught a Ladies Sunday School class and Vacation BIBLE School for many years. She loved her Church and serving her LORD. She loved to play the piano and to sing gospel music.
She also loved her flowers, plants, and making a garden each year. She enjoyed sharing the bounty out of her garden with family & friends. She liked to work on arts & crafts projects and could make something beautiful or useful out of items that would normally be thrown away. She tried to keep a positive attitude and would search for some little silly something to laugh about, even during difficult times.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 27, 2014 from 6 pm – 8 pm, in the Chapel at Atkinson Funeral Home. Services will be Friday, March 28, 2014 at 10 am, at Taylor’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be at Rest Haven Cemetery. Brother Jerry Scroggins will officiate.
Grandsons serving as pallbearers: Neal Lucas, Nick Lucas, Blake Gibbs, Seth Gibbs, Gil Totten, Jr., Ronnie Totten, and Brian Spray.
Honorary pallbearers are the doctors, nurses and staff at Malvern Hospital, Dr. Ray Bollen, along with his nurses & staff, and also the nurses, CNA’s, and staff at Malvern Nursing Home & Rehab. Many of these health care professionals learned to love Catherine and to admire her strength, faith, and fortitude to keep smiling and keep going.
If you prefer, in lieu of flowers, you may make donations to her Church – Taylor’s Chapel MBC for the spread of the Gospel Message or to an agency that does Cancer Research.
Arrangements are by Atkinson Funeral Home.
Catherine grew up during “The Great Depression” and learned early on that you have to work, in order to eat. She experienced many hard times, having buried three husbands, going through Cancer four times, and having two strokes. But, through it all, she maintained her faith and trust in GOD and never faltered in serving her LORD, her Church, and her family.
She touched many people in her lifetime and no doubt spent time praying for each one. It would be her prayer today for You to get right with GOD by accepting HIS free gift of salvation that JESUS bought and paid for. Thereby, ensuring that she will see you again, in Heaven.