Mildred Spruill Briggs

Mildred Spruill Briggs died Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at Carlsbad Medical Center. A Memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 7, 2012, 2:00 PM at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 3301 South Canal Street, with Dale Kaylor officiating. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mildred was born on July 17, 1913 in Ada, Oklahoma to Samuel Emerald Spruill and Bernie Irene (Herrington) Spruill. Her father died two months before she was born. Her mother died when she was seven. She was raised in Ada Oklahoma by her aunt. Mildred graduated from Ada High School May 16, 1930. She furthered her education at East Central State Teacher's College in Ada and received a life certificate to teach in Oklahoma. Throughout the years she was taught to play the piano and gave lessons later on in her life. Mildred's brother, Blake Spruill, had moved to Carlsbad and gave her the money to board a train and come to Carlsbad. In Carlsbad is where she met Levi Compton Briggs, who told her "I want to give you a home" and they were married on May 17, 1933 in Carlsbad. Along with raising her three children, and aside from being a school teacher, she was one of Jehovah's Witnesses and gave bible lessons in the community. Her passion was to impart knowledge of Jehovah God and encourage people to push the envelope to be all they can be, had been the hallmark of her career. She had the talent to help people change and improve their lives. Because of her uniqueness and abilities, she has touched many lives in our community. The Humanitarian Award should go to Mildred. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Levi Compton Briggs in 2004; daughter, Patsy Lee Briggs Odom in 2011; son, Phil Jerry Briggs and her brother, Blake Spruill in 2001. Survivors include her daughter, Eloise Briggs Taylor of Carlsbad; son, Joe Nathan Briggs of Holly, Colorado; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.