Adelle Patricia Spiess

Former Sonora resident Adelle Patricia Williams Spiess died Nov. 17 at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento. She was 83. Born in Tapco, Ariz., to Nina Lee and Clyde Williams, she graduated from Arizona State University with her teaching credential in 1953. While there she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Mu Rho Alpha honorary music sorority, and the 53 Club. She began teaching at Pomolita School in Ukiah before relocating to Antioch where she met and later married Edward Spiess. The couple moved to Twain Harte in 1965 and to Sonora in the late 1960s. While here she taught at Curtis Creek Elementary School, primarily the fourth grade, and her husband taught at Sonora High School. She sang in her church choir and appeared in Handels Messiah on numerous occasions. She was a charter member of PEO International, and president of the Sonora Community Hospital Auxiliary. In 2008, the couple moved to Sacramento to be closer to their son and his family. Mrs. Spiess is survived by her husband, Edward Spiess, of Sacramento; son and daughter-in-law, Erik and Jarma Spiess, of Sacramento; grandson, Bennett Spiess, of Sacramento; and sister, Barbara Glavich, of Ukiah. A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Jan. 14 at the Sonora United Methodist Church. Donations can be made to the Sonora United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, 90 Yaney Ave., Sonora, CA 95370. W.F. Gormley and Sons Funeral Home in Sacramento is handling arrangements.