Muriel Spies

Friday, July 12, 2019

Muriel Spies, 82, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt and friend to many.

Muriel was born in a humble shepherd’s cottage in Lochinver, Scotland, on September 25, 1936. She was the youngest of 7 children born to Roderick and Christina Cameron. She was a graduate of Dingwall Academy Scotland.

At a young age, she met the love of her life, a handsome American Airforce boy stationed in Scotland, Don William Spies. Their sixty years of marriage began in August 1956. They were blessed with four daughters.

Muriel came to the United States in April 1959. In March 1963, while living in Texas, Muriel became a naturalized citizen. After her husband’s military time, they found themselves in Mountain Home, Idaho, managing Martin’s 24 hour Truck Stop. They bought the house where they raised their two daughters. Muriel drove an escort car, piloting wide loads for many years. Many came to know her by her CB handle name, “Cupcake.” She spent several years working at the Chevron on the hill, where she greeted everyone with a smile. Finally, Muriel took her love of cooking for others to Head Start as the head cook. When Don retired from law enforcement, Muriel retired. They loaded their 5th wheel and spend 14 grand years making new friends and adventures in Yuma, Arizona. Muriel did not know a stranger and made friends wherever she went.

Muriel is a long time member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church. She loved to bring homemade desserts for their many events. She was an honorary member of the Apple Dumpling Gang in Mountain Home and the Idaho Retired Law Enforcement Association. She is a long-time member of the Elkette’s of Mountain Home.

Muriel loved her family deeply. She loved to spend time telling her many grandchildren stories of growing up during the wartime in Scotland. The grandchildren loved Grandma’s cooking, especially her sugar cookies and mints. She loved the outdoors, roses and her many crafts.

Muriel was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, and five of her siblings. She is survived by her daughter Brenda Franks (Stan) of Mountain Home; daughter Sonya Turner of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren Heidi Wetherell (Matt) of Corvallis, OR, Jodi Jewett (Travis) of Grand View, Dusty Turner (Heather) of Broken Arrow, OK and Darren Turner (Erin) of Kaufman, Tx; Great-Grandchildren Andrew Wetherell, Denton Wetherell, Cortney Wetherell, Kyla Jewett, Bailie Jewett, Samantha Jewett and Kolton Jewett; Great-Great Granddaughter Teegan Jewett. In her beloved homeland of Scotland, she is also survived by one sister Jesse Sinclair, two special nieces Shirley Finlayson (Mike) and Irene Heggie (Duncan) and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to personally thank the staff at St. Lukes MISTI for their kind care, and Treasure Valley Hospice. They would also like to thank the many friends who visited over the last few weeks. It has been such a blessing to see the many lives our Granny has touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Muriel’s name to Treasure Valley Hospice of Mountain Home, 285 East 4th North St., Mountain Home, ID 83647 or the Mountain Home’s Farmer Market, c/o Bev Lucia 735 East 10th North, Mountain Home, ID 83647.

Muriel’s memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2019, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3850 Airbase Road in Mountain Home. They are requesting friends to gather for a celebration of life following the service at the Elks Lodge in Mountain Home.