The Virginian-Pilot, (Norfolk, VA) January 2, 2004

Carrie Gunhild Sigrid Gudheim Spear, 97, was born in Holyoke, Mass. in 1906 and died Jan. 1, 2004, in Suffolk. Her parents were Harry Emil Gudheim and Gunhild Berg Gudheim, both from Sweden. She was married to Philip Hichborn Spear in 1931. She was predeceased by her husband, her parents and brothers, Curt and Arne.

She is survived by a sister, Elsa Barringer of Blacksburg, Va.; a daughter, Carrie Lee Myers and husband Jim of Suffolk; a son, Curt Gudheim Spear and his wife Bobbie of Newport News; a granddaughter, Susan Hubbard and husband Steve of Lynchburg, Va.; a grandson, Curt Gudheim Spear Jr. and wife Lorrie of Woodbridge, Va.; two great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.She attended Farmville State Teachers College (Longwood) and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1930. She was proud that she was one of the first women to graduate from VPI. She began a teaching career at the Episcopal Mission School for Girls in Valle Crucis, N.C. After her marriage to Phil, she settled down to a life as a loving wife, a kind and supportive mother to both of her children and a homemaker who made the best kaffe bulles (Swedish coffee buns) in the world.

After her children were grown, she returned to teaching as a math teacher at Cradock Junior High School and later at Alf Mapp Junior High. She taught for 17 years and during this time had the reputation of being a kind teacher who could make her students "learn some math." She was always willing to spend the extra time to help her students when they needed it. For her, education was a very important part of a persons life.

She had many hobbies and talents. Among her favorites were vegetable gardening in Bowers Hill with Phil, taking care of her home and yard, especially her Queen Elizabeth roses and crocheting. All her friends and family have several beautiful afghans that she produced with a loving touch. She was a member of Emanuel Episcopal Church for more than 40 years. All along she was supportive and proud of her children and later her grandchildren. She had a long and full life and had a positive effect on many people along the way.

A graveside service will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake, with the Rev. Harry B. Spear III officiating. The family will receive friends today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel.