It is with broken hearts and utmost sadness that we announce the passing of Tamara Denese Spurgeon (nee Whitten), age 65, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, after an 8 year battle with breast cancer. She was a resident of Beaver, WV. Tammy is now in heaven with her parents and sister, but she will be in our hearts and minds forever.
Tammy was born on May 3, 1959, in Lanark, WV. Tammy is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Daniel Harley Spurgeon; her son, Luke Wilburn Spurgeon; and her brother Timothy Gibson Whitten (Mary). She is also survived by her Mother-in-Law, C. Eileen Spurgeon, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.
She was pre-deceased by her wonderful parents, the late Helen B. (Weeks) and Wilburn B. Whitten as well as her sister, Pamela Whitten. She is also pre-deceased by her Father-in-law, the late Robert O. Spurgeon.
Tammy went to Lincoln Grade School and Stratton Junior High, where she played the clarinet and oboe in the marching band. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School after which Tammy worked in the pediatric ward at Raleigh General Hospital for several years as a Ward Clerk. She then continued her education at Belmont College (now University) in Nashville, TN where she earned a degree in nursing. She returned to Raleigh General as a Certified Pediatric Nurse in the Pediatric and Newborn Wards including time as many years as the Charge Nurse working at the hospital for 38 years in total.
During her tenure at Raleigh General, Tammy trained many, many nurses and was known as a kind and encouraging mentor. She was compassionate but firm and insisted that her babies and children patients received the highest level of care. She was greatly respected by the healthcare professionals at the hospital and was known for giving excellent training classes and her superb technique. She literally touched 1000's of patients during her career and built relationships with many of her patients and their families.
Tammy's devotion to her patients extended to rides in ambulances with pediatric patients who needed transfer to other facilities. Even the ER called her to help with difficult procedures. Tammy always answered the call. Further, she was known to take care of neighbors and sit with hospice patients who had no one with them in their final days.
Tammy led a purpose-based life, and that purpose was focused on others, whom she always put ahead of herself.
After leaving Raleigh General, she worked for about 7 years as a Regulatory Compliance Nurse for the WV Department of Health Facilities, where she was employed at the time of her death.
Tammy worked from the age of 15 until her death.
Tammy met the man she would marry and the love of her life, Daniel, in 1989, at Beckley Community Chorus, where he was the Chorus Director, and she was a soprano. They were married in 1991 at United Methodist Temple. They built a life together focused on their Christian faith, music, their son, Luke, their families and her many, many friends and colleagues.
Tammy faithfully attended United Methodist Temple where she watched her husband lead the music and other programs at the Church. She was an excellent soprano who sang in the choirs at both the Methodist Temple and Calloway Heights Baptist Church which she attended growing up. She was an active church volunteer for many activities and was very conscientious.
Tammy was known for her gentle and infectious smile, her graciousness, her humble, self-effacing demeanor, always putting other's before herself, her sneaky smarts, and work ethic. She was compassionate and kind, a terrific human being and made the world around her a better place. She was also determined, resilient and had high standards. She was a mentor and a leader. She built strong, enduring bonds and relationships with her friends and colleagues. She was our hero!
Outside of working and taking care of others and her family, Tammy always had dogs and cats. She loved vacations with her family, visiting relatives, traveling to the mountains and the beach, riding in a side-by-side with Daniel, boating, dining out, shopping, cars (she even drove in powder puff races when she was younger).
Her family says a big thank you to the doctors, nurses and others who helped in her battle with breast cancer as well as those at Hospice of Southern WV for their loving care in her final day before going to be with the Lord. In particular, her family wishes to thank the many nurses - those who knew and worked with Tammy - who took special care of her just as she did for her patients for many years. Your devotion and love for her was special and touching.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tammy's name to United Methodist Temple (umtemple.com), Humane Shelter of Raleigh County (hsrcwv.org), and the Breast Cancer Foundation (bcrf.org).
Visitation will be held at United Methodist Temple in Beckley, WV on Monday, March 10, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and on Tuesday, March 11 from 10:30 am to noon followed immediately by funeral services. Burial will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Prosperity followed by a life celebration dinner at the Church.