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BOLIVAR, Mo. — The ±«Óătv family mourns the passing of former ±«Óătv First Lady Joann Spurgeon, wife of Harlan E. Spurgeon, who served as ±«Óătv President from 1979-1983. Joann passed away Aug. 7 in Ozark at the age of 90.
“As a Bearcat family, we are thankful for Dr. and Mrs. Spurgeon and the significant contributions they have made to ±«Óătv and the Bolivar community,” said Dr. Brad Johnson, ±«Óătv interim president. “Please be in prayer for the Spurgeon family during this time of loss.”
Prior to serving at ±«Óătv, Joann served alongside Harlan during his pastorate at First Baptist Church-Bolivar from 1972-1979. The couple also served as missionaries in Taiwan through the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for 15 years. Joan served as a preschool director and volunteer for numerous churches and philanthropic organizations.
Joann graduated from ±«Óătv with an associate’s degree in 1951 and a bachelor’s degree in 1982. She received the Life Service Award from ±«Óătv in 1974.
Visitation is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at University Heights Baptist Church, Springfield. Funeral is at 11 a.m. at the church, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.
*Published: 8-13-2021