Jeanette ‘Nettie’ Fitchett Spady, 83; Matriarch Served Many

February 1, 2013

Jeanette Fitchett Spady, better known as “Nettie”, 83, passed away Friday, February 1, surrounded by her family members and loved ones at her daughter’s home in Machipongo.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday, February 4, at Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore with the Rev. Russell Goodrich and the Rev. Jack D. Pruitt officiating.

Interment will follow in Johnson’s United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Family will join friends at Doughty Funeral Home Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Virginia Oncology, 5900 Lake Wright Drive, Suite 300, Norfolk, VA 23502.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com.

Mrs. Spady was born June 19, 1929, to Samuel and Marie Fitchett of Nassawadox. She was the wife of the late Harry J. Spady, Sr., and was a lifetime resident of Machipongo.

She is survived by three sisters: Hilda Brady and her husband, Jack, of Oyster; Lillie Mae Maryce of Pocomoke, MD; and Luemma McKean of Florida; and a brother, Clarence Fitchett of Pocomoke.

Survivors include:

Daughter Ruby Marie Spady Parker Crumb and her husband, Joe Wayne, of Seaview; and three grandchildren, Alvin “Bud” Spencer Parker, Jr., and his wife, Shelby Lewis Parker, of Townsend; three great-grandchildren, Spencer, Jackson, and Scott, and a great-grandson by her predeceased grandson “Curly”, Brandon Parker of Belle Haven; and Joe Crumb and his wife Jennifer Walker Crumb, of Richmond.

Son Harry Jackson Spady, Jr., and his wife, Helen Pamela Simpson Spady, of Machipongo; and three grandchildren, Ronnie Spady and his husband, Eddie Kalil; daughter, Shannon Leigh Spady Upshur and her husband, Anthony “Boolie” Upshur of Machipongo; and two great-grandchildren, Anthony and Manazia Upshur; and Carla Spady Clark and her husband Alvin Clark of Hampton; and two great-grandchildren, Setia and Darius.

Son William “Buster” Spady and his wife, Rita Spady of Wachapreague; and a grandchild, Angel Marie Spady; two great-grandchildren, Mandy and Billy; and two great-great grandchildren, Andrew and Zaydin of Nassawadox.

Son Joseph “Joe” Spady, Sr., and his wife, Nancy Lynn Shrieves Spady of Raeford, NC, and a grandson, Joseph Edward Spady, Jr., and his wife, Karen Spady; and a great-grandson, Cody, and half-sister, Elizabeth, also of Raeford.

Son Samuel “Leroy” Spady of Machipongo; and a grandchild, Nacole Gladden of Cherrystone; and two great-grandchildren, Dustin and Jasen.

Adopted daughter Audrey Lynn Lewis Fickel and her husband Jamie Fickel of South Carolina, and two great-grandchildren, Bryton and Jessie.

Daughter Betty May Spady Hunsicker of Machipongo.

Other than her husband, she was predeceased by two brothers, William and Leroy Fitchett, and a grandson, Harry “Curly” W. Parker.

Nettie was a member of Johnson’s United Methodist Church.

Nettie held numerous jobs in her lifetime:

She and her family worked at various farms on the Shore when locals used to harvest the farmers’ crops.

She was a waitress for several restaurants, including Candlelight Lodge in Birdsnest; Quality Motel in Townsend; Sunset Beach Resort in Cape Charles; Paul’s Restaurant in Cheriton; and Rebecca’s Restaurant in Cape Charles.

She also worked for several processing plants, including C & D Seafood in Oyster; H. Allen Seafood in Oyster; Cedar Grove Canning Company in Eastville; and KMC Foods in Cheriton.

She was head of housekeeping at Heritage Hall Healthcare in Nassawadox for nine years.

She was known by many people at B & B Market in Machipongo, where she worked for 17 years. She prepared many orders of sandwiches, soups, and fried chicken. She also worked at Eastville Inn for a short time.

Arrangements are by Doughty Funeral Home, Exmore.