Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameMary Louise Culp 
Birth15 Feb 1924, Badin, Stanly County, NC
Death6 Jun 2020, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC
Burial10 Jun 2020, Rowan Memorial Park, Salisbury, Rowan County, NC
FatherArlie Franklin Culp (1891-1965)
MotherMary Eula Smith (1896-1977)
Spouses
Birth10 Jun 1924
Death16 Apr 1994
BurialSalisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, Rowan County, NC
Marriage18 Jul 1944
ChildrenJames Allen “Jack” (1950-)
Joseph Franklin (1952-)
Jonathan Cordell (1963-)
Birth3 Oct 1917, Hartsville, Darlington County, SC
Death25 Feb 2017, Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House, Salisbury, Rowan County, NC
Burial7 Mar 2017, Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, Rowan County, NC
Notes for Mary Louise Culp
Mary Culp Spires
Mary Culp Spires, 96, a resident of Brighton Gardens in Charlotte, passed away on June 6, 2020. She was born in Badin, NC on February 15, 1924, to the late Arlie Franklin Culp and Frances Smith Culp.
Mary graduated from Badin High School as valedictorian and from Pfeiffer Junior College where she was awarded The Order of the Sundial, Pfeiffer's highest award for student service, engagement, and leadership. She continued her education at Appalachian State Teachers College, graduating with highest honors and serving as editor of the yearbook.
Mary taught junior high school in the Albemarle City Schools and, after moving to Salisbury, was a Title 1 reading teacher in the Rowan County School System. Her devotion to teaching continued throughout her life. She was a gifted storyteller and often entertained and taught her grandchildren and their friends with creative and amusing tales.
As a member of First United Methodist Church in Salisbury, Mary served on the Administration Board and as president of the United Methodist Women. She was a member of the Daisy Hedrich Sunday School Class and sang in the Chancel Choir.
In 1994, Mary married the late Clarence E. Spires (CE) and became a member of Haven Lutheran Church where she served as president of Women of ELCE, sang in the Chancel Choir, and was a member of the Walt Wagoner Sunday School Class. She was a talented writer and wrote the first published history of Haven Church.
Mary was active in the Wednesday Bridge Club, her book club, and the Story Telling League. She enjoyed traveling and gardening with CE, cooking wonderful meals, reading, and growing and arranging flowers.
Mary loved her God, family, and friends. She will be remembered for her kindness to all, her calm and gracious manner, her gift of listening, her agreeable nature, and, of course, for her sense of style; dressed to a T and color-coordinated from earrings to shoes to purse. She was devoted to CE and found her deepest joy in her family. She was her grandchildren’s beloved Mimi.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her four sisters and a brother.
Mary is survived by her sons, James Allen Hinson (Jack and Linda), Joseph Franklin Hinson (Lynn), and Jonathan Cordell Hinson (Kris); grandchildren, Mary Julia Walker, Anna Menser, Jack Hinson, Jenna Hinson, Beth Hinson, Sally Hinson, Ben Hinson, Abby Hinson, Jayne Hinson, Kelsey Manzano, and Christopher Manzano; and five great-grandchildren.
The family expresses its deep gratitude to Mary’s devoted caregivers at Brighton Gardens who, in addition to care, provided love and support, and to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region.
A private graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 10, at Rowan Memorial Park in Salisbury.
Memorials may be sent to Haven Lutheran Church, Salisbury, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Summersett Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Salisbury.
Mary Culp Spires, 96, a resident of Brighton Gardens in Charlotte, passed away on June 6, 2020. She was born in Badin, NC on February 15, 1924, to the late Arlie Franklin Culp and Frances Smith Culp.
Mary graduated from Badin High School as valedictorian and from Pfeiffer Junior College where she was awarded The Order of the Sundial, Pfeiffer's highest award for student service, engagement, and leadership. She continued her education at Appalachian State Teachers College, graduating with highest honors and serving as editor of the yearbook.
Mary taught junior high school in the Albemarle City Schools and, after moving to Salisbury, was a Title 1 reading teacher in the Rowan County School System. Her devotion to teaching continued throughout her life. She was a gifted storyteller and often entertained and taught her grandchildren and their friends with creative and amusing tales.
As a member of First United Methodist Church in Salisbury, Mary served on the Administration Board and as president of the United Methodist Women. She was a member of the Daisy Hedrich Sunday School Class and sang in the Chancel Choir.
In 1994, Mary married the late Clarence E. Spires (CE) and became a member of Haven Lutheran Church where she served as president of Women of ELCE, sang in the Chancel Choir, and was a member of the Walt Wagoner Sunday School Class. She was a talented writer and wrote the first published history of Haven Church.
Mary was active in the Wednesday Bridge Club, her book club, and the Story Telling League. She enjoyed traveling and gardening with CE, cooking wonderful meals, reading, and growing and arranging flowers.
Mary loved her God, family, and friends. She will be remembered for her kindness to all, her calm and gracious manner, her gift of listening, her agreeable nature, and, of course, for her sense of style; dressed to a T and color-coordinated from earrings to shoes to purse. She was devoted to CE and found her deepest joy in her family. She was her grandchildren’s beloved Mimi.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her four sisters and a brother.
Mary is survived by her sons, James Allen Hinson (Jack and Linda), Joseph Franklin Hinson (Lynn), and Jonathan Cordell Hinson (Kris); grandchildren, Mary Julia Walker, Anna Menser, Jack Hinson, Jenna Hinson, Beth Hinson, Sally Hinson, Ben Hinson, Abby Hinson, Jayne Hinson, Kelsey Manzano, and Christopher Manzano; and five great-grandchildren.
The family expresses its deep gratitude to Mary’s devoted caregivers at Brighton Gardens who, in addition to care, provided love and support, and to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region.
A private graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 10, at Rowan Memorial Park in Salisbury.
Memorials may be sent to Haven Lutheran Church, Salisbury, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Summersett Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Salisbury.