Obituary of Joan Margaret Spaulding
Joan Margaret Tennyson was born on October 23, 1935 in Middlesboro, Kentucky. She was the eldest of five children born to the union of the late Roy Lee and Juanita (Justice) Tennyson Sr. At the age of twelve, Joan moved with her family to Dundee, Michigan where she would meet the love of her life: the boy next door, Burton L. Spaulding. They were married in Sylvania, Ohio on September 17, 1951 and enjoyed nearly seventy years of wedded bliss. She was a 1953 graduate of Dundee High School and lifelong parishioner of Dundee Baptist Church.
Joan was employed at the Ypsilanti Regional Psychiatric Hospital before accepting a position with the Michigan State Police as the Secretary to the Commander of Post 26 in Ypsilanti. She retired in 1991 after twenty-four years at a job she absolutely loved.
Upon retirement, Joan enjoyed traveling Up North to sightsee and camping. She spent many summer vacations and Thanksgivings in Baldwin, Michigan. Joan also frequented the Tawas area whenever possible. She loved watching large freighter ships sailing on the Great Lakes. Joan was very talented with a crochet hook and always seemed to have a project on her lap. She loved nothing more than babysitting her grandchildren and cheering them on from the sidelines at their sporting events.
Joan Margaret Spaulding, age 85, of Dundee, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, 2021. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant son: Burton LeRoy Spaulding Jr., brothers: Roy Lee Tennyson Jr. and James Robert “Bob” Tennyson, and son in-law: Gregory Dean Harlow Sr.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband: Burton LeRoy Spaulding Sr., children: Susan Kay Harlow and Michael Alan (Elena) Spaulding Sr., daughter in-law: Noreen Spaulding, five grandchildren: Amy Jo Harlow, Gregory (Julie) Harlow II, and Burton (Andrea) Harlow, Rebecca (Bryan) Hall, and Michael (Stephanie) Spaulding Jr., nine great grandchildren: Dakota, Chase, Ania, and Katelyn Harlow, Abby, Ally, and Alex Hall, Samantha and Easton Spaulding, brother: Don (Rose) Tennyson, sister: Wanda (Willard) Butler, and canine companions, Shih Tzu puppies: “Cooper” and “Cody”, who were always by her side.
Friends may visit from 2:00pm until 7:00pm on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Dundee Baptist Church, 14040 South Custer Road, Dundee, Michigan 48131. Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, a Worship Service Celebrating her Life will be private. Friends are welcome to join the family at Oak Grove Cemetery in Dundee for the interment on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 12:15pm. Arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee, 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156.
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