Mrs. Mary Mace Spradling

Mrs. Mary Mace Spradling passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 19, 2009. She was born in Louisville, KY on December 31, 1911. She was a member of the Christian Church-Disciples of Christ. Mrs. Spradling earned a degree in education from Kentucky State University and a degree in Librarianship from Atlanta University. She taught English and French before becoming an librarian in Kentucky. In 1957, she was hired to establish and direct the Young Adult Department of the Kalamazoo Public Library. Mrs. Spradling also established the Alma Powell Library a the Douglass Community Center. She remained with the Kalamazoo Public Library until her retirement. An establlished author and researcher, Mrs. Spradling is known world wide for her reference book, "In Black & White: African Americans in Print". She started collecting books on or about African Americans at an early age and continued throughout her life. Her personal collection contained over 3000 volumes, considered one of the largest private collections of African American Books in existence. In 1998, she donated her collection to the Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The collection is located in the Anna Whitten Building of the Arcadia Creek Campus and is available to the public. Mrs. Spradling was a community activist, belonging to many organizations and boards. She was on the board at Nazareth College for many years. Other organizational participation included the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the NAACP, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Board, Michigan Library Association, and the American Library Association. She also received the NAACP Humanitarian Award in 1984. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Louis Spradling; her parents, Rev. Minor Jeremia Mace and Ella Nora Trivers Mace Gibbs, and her sister, Martha Mace. Survivors include a cousin, Mary Mullins of Campbellsburg, KY. She also leaves two guardians who lovingly cared for Mary for many years, Mrs. Betty Floyd and Mrs. Phyllis Seabolt. She touched many lives in the community and was loved and respected by all who knew her. A RECEPTION IS BEING HELD at 1:00 p.m. (immediately following services) at: ANNA WHITTEN HALL (KVCC ARCADIA CAMPUS-DOWNTOWN KALAMAZOO)on the 2nd floor. A short program will be held at the reception, along with Mary's book collection to be displayed for viewing.

Mrs. Mary Mace Spradling

December 31, 1911 - January 19, 2009