It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Verley Gayle Spell, on January 26, 2026. V.G. was born in Ridge, Louisiana, on January 19, 1931, to Clede and Hazel Spell. He was raised on a farm, and had a lifelong passion for farming and ranching. He grew up with a strong work ethic, and dedication to his family, his friends and neighbors. V.G. proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corp with the 1st Armored Amphibian Battalion in the Korean War.
After serving in the Marines, he came to Orange to visit family, and took a job with Dixie Glass Company. He met the love of his life, Winnie Buxton, and after a 6-week courtship they married on February 14, 1954. V.G. continued working for Dixie Glass Company, retiring after 30 years.
V.G. began planting Christmas trees at the family farm in 1978. The family sold Christmas trees for many years. His farm was a source of great satisfaction and pride. He loved animals and had a wide variety of animals at the farm. V.G. and Winnie also hosted tours of the farm. Schools from all over the Golden Triangle and Southwest Louisiana would bring busloads of children to have a picnic at the farm, and see all of the animals. They were active members of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association for many years. V.G. also served on the board of the Lower Sabine Neches Soil & Water Conservation District #446 for thirty years. V.G. and Winnie loved to travel. They went on many trips with their fellow adventurers, Harold and Nelda Allbritton; Bob and Nell Armstrong; and Bill and Janie Krick. V.G. enjoyed simple pleasures, grilling for his family, planting flowers, and working out in the yard.
It is impossible to summarize how much V. G. meant to everyone in his life. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, uncle, friend and an incomparable father and grandfather.
He is survived by his son, Mike Spell; daughters, Vicki Stoy and husband Joe, Jeanie Kreger and husband Ken, and Deidra Spell and partner Bryant Vaughn; grandchildren, Courtney Garza and husband Dago, Deidra McCart and husband Tyler, Stephanie Hall and husband Brandon, and Garrett Kreger and wife Katie; great-grandchildren, Marissa Garza, Mikayla Garza, Dago Garza, Jr., Dixie Donald, Logan Hall, Landon Hall, Piper Kreger, and Gavin Kreger; cousin, Bonnie Murphy and husband Steve; nieces, nephews, and other family members.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clede and Hazel Spell; his wife of 60 years, Winifred Buxton Spell; his brother Alden Spell and wife Claudia; his sister Lois Morgan and husband Gervis, and his companion Shirley Wilson.
The family would like to thank the staff of Cherished Years for their excellent care and devotion to V. G. He was very happy there and you were all wonderful. We are also very grateful for the outstanding care he received from Three Oaks Hospice. We would also like to thank Betty Turner for her love and devotion to V. G. You were always there when we needed you. Special thanks to Kenneth and Cristy Delaney, for your friendship, faithfulness, and assistance to V.G. The family would also like to thank everyone that worked at the family farm through the years. V.G. regarded all of you as family too, and you are all a big part of his happiest memories. The Lord commands us to love our neighbors, and V. G. certainly did. He always felt very blessed to have such wonderful friends close by. We would like to thank Raylon Duhon for his many kindnesses to V.G. The family would also like to thank Wesley and Leisa Lewis for your love and loyalty to V.G. through the years, and all Wesley’s help with V.G.’s “projects.”
Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Dorman – Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 8808 Highway 87 North, Orange, Texas. Pastor Amy Walker is officiating. Interment to follow at Indian Bayou Cemetery, Vermillion Parish.
Pallbearers will be Garrett Kreger, Brandon Hall, Dago Garza, Tyler McCourt, Dago Garza, Jr., and Wesley Lewis. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Morgan, Bill Krick, Steve Murphy, Russell Baker and Lane Spell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Indian Bayou Cemetery Fund, 1029 Hwy 700, Rayne, LA 70578.
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