Rosemary Ann Spraggins

Rosemary Ann Spraggins born May 26, 1939, a woman of faith, lifelong service, and boundless love, passed peacefully into eternal life August 24, 2025, surrounded by the family she cherished so deeply. She was the beloved wife of the late Bill Spraggins and devoted mother to Margaret Magee (Steve), Barbara Doyle (Mark), Gina Shafer (Scott), and William “Billy” Joseph (deceased). She was a proud and loving grandmother to Jennifer Jordan, Katherine Matthews (Chris), Emily Trosan (Robby), Adam Doyle (Nicole), Sarah Doyle, and Rebecca Walton (Eathan); and a joyful great-grandmother — “GiGi” — to Faith, Ada, Rory, Jordan, Jaiden, Juliana, Jillian, and Johanna. Rosemary was the sister of Suzanne Townsend (deceased) and Joseph Racine (Judy).

Her love of learning and commitment to education guided her professional life. After earning her master’s degree from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, she dedicated herself to Catholic education. She taught kindergarten and fifth grade at Christ the King Catholic School and second grade at Resurrection Catholic School, before serving as principal of St. Paul’s Catholic School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, from 1987 until her retirement in 1999 — a time she often described as the highlight of her career. After retiring, Rosemary and Bill moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to be closer to family. She became an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church and continued her lifelong commitment to service, volunteering at her church, the Samaritan Soup Kitchen, the Catholic Charities Food Pantry, and teaching in the adult literacy program. Her faith was not just something she believed — it was something she lived each day, in service, compassion, and love. Rosemary created a home where her children and grandchildren were deeply loved. She nurtured strong relationships across generations, offering encouragement, warmth, and a quiet strength rooted in her Catholic faith.

A memorial mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons, NC, on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at a later date at Arlington Memorial Park in Jacksonville FL, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved Bill and Billy. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to a local food pantry or literacy program in Rosemary’s memory — continuing the work she so lovingly began. Donations may also be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or www.trellissupport.org.