Mildred Louise Springer

Mrs. Mildred “Louise” Johnston Springer, 96, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, at home in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Louise, affectionately nicknamed “peamite” (like the rose, small & delicate but full of energy and spirit) as a child, was born on June 18, 1929, in Owassa, Alabama. One of ten children, Louise was the daughter of Martin Lee Johnston and Ruby Estelle Kelley Johnston and grew up alongside seven of her siblings who reached adulthood. Growing up as a farm girl during the Great Depression in Evergreen, Alabama, Louise learned the values of hard work, perseverance, and family. She graduated from Evergreen High School and pursued higher education at Auburn University (then Alabama Polytechnic Institute), earning an Education Degree in Business and Mathematics in 1952. Louise fondly recalled her college years and the administrative work she took on to support her education.

After graduation, Louise began teaching in Georgia. Encouraged by her brother Warren, who was living in Odessa Texas, she moved west seeking greater teaching opportunities. Her journey began by catching a ride with soldiers being relocated from Fort Benning GA to Fort Hood TX with the remainder of the trip by bus to Odessa. This adventure led Louise to meeting her future husband Tom, who was her brother Warren’s, roommate. What began as a chance meeting led to a deep and lasting connection. They discovered they had attended Auburn at the same time, and over time, their friendship grew into a loving romance. Louise and Tom were married on August 3, 1957, in Alabama. The couple moved to Tulsa Oklahoma, where Louise continued teaching until the birth of their daughter, Linda in 1959. Louise then devoted herself to raising their family, welcoming David in 1963. In 1964, the family relocated to Borger Texas, where Louise remained a loving homemaker and occasionally substituted in classrooms.

In 1973, the Springers briefly lived in Caister-On-Sea, England, embracing travel and exploration, returning to the United States just as the excitement of Princess Anne’s marriage to Mark Phillips was sweeping the United Kingdom. In 1977, they settled in Edmond Oklahoma, where Louise became a dedicated member of Edmond’s First Baptist Church, working in Sunday School and serving as Outreach and Homebound leader, also volunteering for Whiz Kids tutoring programs. She continued to substitute teaching and cherished opportunities to nurture and inspire young minds.

Louise maintained a strong connection to her roots with annual family summer trips to Toms’ families treasured lake house at Logan Martin Lake and the Johnston family reunions in Evergreen Alabama, where cousins would gather, reconnect, reminisce, play, eat, and hunt for a spot to sleep on the floor. After her children were grown, they traveled extensively across the United States, exploring both coasts and the Midwest.

She enjoyed playing bridge, and was an active member in the same dinner bridge group for more than 49 years. She also enjoyed crossword and sudoku puzzles, and above all, spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sibling, Infant Johnston; brothers, Byron Micajah Johnston, Warren Grad Johnston, John Marvin Johnston, Harry Lyon Johnston, Lewis Lamar Johnston, and Robert Martin Johnston; sisters Mary Lee Johnston Shaver and Ruby Elizabeth Johnston Pickens; and her stillborn son.

Louise is survived by her husband, Thomas Aaron Springer; her daughter, Linda Carol Paulk (Mike); her son, David Thomas Springer (Jodi); grandchildren Karla Mikeala Paulk Love (Brendan), Ethan David Springer (Lyndee), and Jake Thomas Springer; and great-grandchild Madelyn Harper Love. She has a host of nieces, nephews, and an abundance of beloved friends who are left to enjoy many fond memories of her.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm on May 26, 2026 at Matthews Funeral Home, 601 S Kelly Avenue, Edmond, OK 73003. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 on May 27, 2026 at Edmond’s First Baptist Church, with interment that afternoon at 1:00 at Gracelawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers or a memorial tree, donations may be made to one of the Oklahoma Baptist University Campaign Projects, honoring Louise’s lifelong commitment to education and nurturing future generations.

https://www.okbu.edu/giving/shape-the-future/