Doretha Spier

Doretha (Dee) Spier (Leighton)

July 03 1944 - July 31 2025
Doretha (Dee) Spier, beloved mother, wife, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully in the end of July 2025 at her daughter's home in Maryland, surrounded by loved ones. Born in July 1944 in Plant City, Florida, Dee was the tenth of eleven children born to Ester and Robert Leighton. As part of the tight-knit Leighton family, where all siblings' names began with the letter "D," she was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings. She is survived by her brothers Dawson and Doyle Leighton, who carry on the family's legacy.
Dee grew up in Plant City, attending Turkey Creek High School and working at the Strawberry Drive Inn, where she met the love of her life, Brown Malachi Spier III (Mickey). Their romance blossomed into a lifelong marriage, and together they raised four children—Ellen, Sam, Michael, and James—first in Plant City and later in Fairfield, California. In 1997, after the sale of the Southern Pacific Railroad, Dee and Mickey relocated from Robbins California to Papillion, Nebraska, where they operated a retail store while Mickey completed his career with Union Pacific. Dee's legacy includes sixteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, who brought her immense joy.
A woman of remarkable resilience and versatility, Dee wore many hats throughout her life. She worked as a strawberry picker, waitress, grocery store checker, auto parts distributor bookkeeper, small business owner, government tomato inspector, and even a truck unloader at a food processing plant. Whatever she set her mind to, Dee accomplished with determination and grace. Her work ethic was matched only by her devotion to her family and community. Known for her generous spirit, she never hesitated to help anyone who crossed her path, whether family, friend, or stranger.
At the heart of Dee's life was her deep and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Her special relationship with her Lord and Savior guided her through life's joys and challenges. We find comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her parents, siblings, and loved ones in heaven, basking in the eternal salvation she cherished.
Dee's life will be celebrated by her surviving family, including her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers Dawson and Doyle, and countless extended family and friends. Her love, strength, and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held in Plant City Florida 10-11-2025 and 11-29-2025 in Dixon California contact the family for details. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a Christian Church of your choice In Doretha's Name.
Condolences and memories may be sent to rack-wick-eats@duck.com.