Pinelle Sias Spain was born December 28, 1945, to the late Walter Sias, Jr. and LouBertha Sam Sias. She was called to her heavenly home on April 13, 2015.

Pinelle was born in Opelousas, Louisiana and lived her entire life in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She received elementary education at St. John Elementary and secondary education at Washington High School where she graduated the class of 1963. She went on to attend McNeese State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the school of education and continued her educational pursuits by earning a Masters of Education in 1977. After graduating college, she became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Pinelle began her teaching career as a teacher''s aide at Riverside Elementary in Summer Head Start in 1968. After attending Head Start teacher training at Texas Southern University in 1967, she was assigned as full teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in 1967 Summer Head Start. There, she not only excelled in the supervision of other instructors, but excelled to become Staff Member of the Month in recognition of her tireless efforts and unparalleled work ethic.

Pinelle dedicated over 25 years to the Calcasieu Parish School Board. She spent 20 years in the classroom as a teacher at Moss Bluff Middle School. In her later career, she was named Director of Middle School Social Studies for Calcasieu Parish and consultant in the areas of Social Studies and Reading. She gave her life to educate children and make strides in improving students'' exposure and curriculum.

Pinelle was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bennie L. Spain; her son, Anthony Craig Spain; her brother, Van Calvin Sias, Sr.; and her sister, Juanita Sias Miller. She leaves to cherish her memory one sister, Stacey Sias Milton (Henry) of Houston, TX; three brothers, Retired Colonel David Glenn Sias (Rhoda) of San Antonio, TX; Walter Richard Sias (Carol) of Lake Charles; and Chaplain Leslie Kim Sias (Reva), U.S. Navy, of Norfolk, VA; and two godchildren, Van Calvin Sias, Jr. of New York, NY and Jamar Trent Miller of Dallas, TX. Pinelle also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, adopted children, numerous friends and a very supportive church community.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Service date: April 23, 2015

Her funeral will be at 2pm, Thursday, April 23, in Trinity Baptist Church. Entombment will be in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Combre Funeral Home. Visitation is from 12 noon Thursday in the church.