01/15/2026
Jane Bruce Blakely Spann, (88) of Spartanburg, SC died January 11, 2026. She was married to the late Charles A. Spann, Sr. for fifty (50) years. A native of Cayce, SC., Jane Bruce was the second child of the late Benjamin Lewellyn Blakely and EdellaBrown Blakely and the beloved mother of two children, Charles Aron Spann, Jr., and Carol Adele Spann Joyner. Jane Bruce lived a life of service to her family, church and community as a devoted mother, loving grandmother, teacher, and volunteer.
Jane Bruce was educated in the Lexington County school system where in 1955, she was an honor graduate of Lakeview High School. After graduating high school, Jane Bruce attended St. Augustine’s College (University,) Raleigh, North Carolina where she earned a B.A. degree in Music Education. She was a member of the Canterbury Club, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Kappa Alpha Humanities Honor Society, Student Council, and College Choir. She was a 1959 honor graduate. Jane Bruce also, held a Master’s Degree in Education from Converse College (University,) plus the additional thirty (30) hours.
Upon graduating from St. Augustine’s College (now University,) Jane Bruce began her career as an educator at Colleton High School in Walterboro, South Carolina as an English and Choral Music teacher. In 1963, Jane Bruce moved to Spartanburg to become an Elementary Music Specialist at Mary H. Wright Elementary School. Upon the integration of the schools, Jane Bruce served both Mary H. Wright (31 years) and E. P. Todd Elementary for fourteen years. She also traveled into Jesse Boyd and Pine Street Elementary Schools as an Elementary Music Specialist on the primary level. Jane Bruce also taught in the Saturday College at Spartanburg Junior College (Methodist) Winter Term for 1973 and 1974. After retiring from teaching in 1994, Jane Bruce served as a substitute teacher for fourteen years.
Mrs. Spann, a cradle Episcopalian, was also, very active in her church. Previously, a member of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Cayce, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, in 1963, Jane Bruce became active in Episcopal Church of the Epiphany where she was a member for more than sixty years. Jane Bruce was the first elected female Senior Warden of the church. She served as a church musician for thirty years. She also, served as a Worship Leader, Eucharistic Minister, and Eucharistic Visitor. She served as the chairperson of College Work, Bena Dial, Episcopal Relief and Development, member and Secretary of the Society of Mary and Chair of the Altar Guild. Jane Bruce was also, Secretary of the Episcopal Church Women. She was the organizer, charter memberand president of the Dorcas Chapter of the Daughters of the King. In 1998, Jane Bruce was elected to serve on Bishop and Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. She was also appointed to serve on the following committees: New Parishes and Missions, State of the Church, Select Commission on Constitution and Canons, Kanuga Board of Visitors, and the nominating committee for the first Diocesan Executive Council of the Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Jane Bruce also represented her church as a member of the Interfaith Alliance. On February 27, 1994, Jane Bruce was recognized by Church of the Epiphany for her “Devotion and Service” to the church.
Jane Bruce was extremely active in her community. She was a board member of Spartanburg Parents Who Care, Health Resource Center, board member and secretary of Spartanburg Youth Theater, Executive Board Treasurer of Spartanburg High School PTA, member and secretary of the Executive Committee of Spartanburg County Senior Centers. She also served as chair of the Spartanburg County Foundation Scholarship Committee.
Mrs. Spann served as President, Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary and Charter Member of the Spartanburg Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. – the oldest African-American family organization in the United States. She served as the Chair of the Regional Constitution and Bylaws Committee and member of the National Constitution and Bylaws committee. Jane Bruce served two terms as president of the Spartanburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and as Vice-President and Parliamentarian. She organized the Delta Kids program for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority which worked in several of the schools in Spartanburg School District # 7.
Mrs. Spann served as a board member of the Spartanburg County Historical Association and Chaplain of the SpartanburgRetired Teachers Association. Previously, she was a member of theNational Education Association, South Carolina Education Association, and the Palmetto Education Association. Jane Bruce was a member of the South Converse Neighborhood Association and Secretary of South Converse Neighborhood Association Board. She was also a member of the Emerald Circle. Jane served as a volunteer at the Chapman Cultural Center for a number of years.
Jane Bruce felt that her greatest contribution to this life was as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She hopes that her unconditional love, wisdom, inspirational messages, encouragement, and nurturing will forever be a part of the lives of her children, grandchildren and other lives that she touched, as well.
In addition to her son and daughter, Jane Bruce is survived by Carol’s husband, Darren Reed (‘Chip’) Joyner of Atlanta, GA: five grandchildren: Courtney Alexandra Spann , Charles Aron Spann III, Hudson Blakely Joyner, two step grandchildren – Darren Chase Joyner and Dylan Marie Joyner; sister, Betty Montgomery of Charlotte, NC, brother, John Elliott (Zephia) Blakely of Columbus, OH. She is also survived by her special nieces and nephews of her sisters and brothers and her husband’s sisters and brother. Also, the children of dear friends whom she felt were connected to her in so many ways and three special goddaughters – Sheri Cunningham Daniels, Stacey Smith Wilson and Norma Foster Green.
The Omega Omega Service by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc will be held on Friday, January 16th at Woodward Funeral Home at 6pm. The service is open to the public. In addition, the family will receive friends and family from 7pm-8pm. A celebration of life will be held at Saturday, January 17th at 1pm, at The Episcopal Church of the Advent conducted by The Reverend Richard Proctor and The Reverend Paula R. Griffin. A reception for family and friends will follow the service in the Parish and Community Life Center. A private burial for family will be held immediately following the reception at Heritage Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Anne’s Episcopal Memorial Cemetery Association c/o St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1300 Pine Street, Columbia, South Carolina or Saint Augustine’s University, 1315 Oakwood Avenue Raleigh, North Carolina 27610-2247.
