Carla Jo Spanihel

Carla Jo Spanihel, age 66, of Gatesville passed away Sunday, February 5, 2023. A memorial service will be Friday, February 10, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Scott’s Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce Cox officiating.

Carla was born November 29, 1956, in Houston, Texas to the late John Edward and Joneva (Blanchard) Phipps. She graduated from Northbrook High School in 1976. She later attended Mary Hardin Baylor for a short time.

She met Anthony James Spanihel in Houston while he was attending mortuary school and she ironically at a monument company. They were married on November 6, 1982.They resided in El Campo for a while where they began their family. They had two daughters; Tiffany Marie, June 29, 1984, who passed shortly after birth and Stephanie Marie a year later in 1985. Anthony’s career then led them to live in Dallas for a few years where they added a son, Marcus Anthony, to complete their family. In 1995 they moved to Gatesville to live near Carla’s family. Carla worked for Gatesville ISD for many years working in the cafeteria. She was blessed to be able to work at the Meadows while her mom was a resident there. That allowed her to see her every day. She also worked at Walmart for a while where she made many friendships she cherished.

Carla enjoyed quilting but her favorite thing to do was spend time with her grandbabies, Joleen and Jemma. She loved children and making sure they were taken care of and loved, and her door was always open for any child who needed a place to stay. She loved her furry friends and had many pets over the years. Carla adored her family, loved her parents and the family farm, and was very proud of her heritage and learning about her family history. 

Carla was preceded in death by her parents, John and Joneva; husband, Anthony; son, Marcus Anthony Spanihel; and daughter, Tiffany Marie Spanihel.

She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Lam and husband, Dustin; grandchildren, Joleen and Jemma Lam; brother, Johnny Phipps and wife, Karla; sister, Elizabeth Hudnall and husband, Charlie; nephew and niece, Jackie Posey and Jennifer Upchurch, whom she loved like one of her own children; other nieces and nephews to include Cortis and Kristin Phipps, and Matthew, Hannah and Haylee Blumrick; as well as 5 great nieces and nephews and many others that she loved dearly.