Robert Lee Spraggins, Jr.

Robert passed away on April 4, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was a native of Marianna, Arkansas and a resident of Indianapolis. His family moved to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1951, where Robert lived through his high school years. He heeded the call to serve his country in the armed forces, completing a tour of duty from 1965-1967 in the United States Army. He earned an Honorable Discharge for his meritorious service. Robert enrolled in and completed a course to study the airline industry. In 1969, he was hired by Ozark Airlines, with whom he worked for 17 years, and with them, relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. In 1972, he moved to Indianapolis and was joined in holy matrimony with Donna Dixon (Whitehurst). They had three children: Patrick Wade, Kitt Sherice and Ronald Ellis. In the early 1980s, Robert was baptized and joined Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church, now New Zion Tabernacle. He answered the call to preach and was ordained as a minister. In 1993, he was joined in marriage to Betty Shields. They did not have any children. Robert was employed by TWA (Trans World Airlines) until his retirement from the airline industry in 1996. He then began working for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), retiring in 2010. Robert was both well-liked and respected by many. He was friendly and out-going in nature and blessed with the ability to relate well with people from all walks of life. Survivors included Robert’s children, Patrick, Ronald and Sherice (Lenwood) Mangham, and their mother Donna; grandson, Joshua Mangham; siblings Margie Graham, Willie Spraggins and Claude Spraggins; a host of nieces and nephews; special friend of the Spraggins family, Barbara Boyd, who was also the best friend of Thearis (Spraggins) Smith; many cousins; other relatives, church family; and friends; and ex-wife Betty. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Earl Lee Spraggins and Brian Donald Spraggins; and sister Thearis L Smith.

Information from Robert’s obituary in the Battle Creek Shopper News online on July 2, 2020; website https://www.mylife.com/; and Stuart Mortuary, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana