Elizabeth Margaret (Spence) Fenstermaker

On Sunday, February 26, 2023, Elizabeth “Ebbie” Fenstermaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister was peacefully called home at age 84.  Ebbie was born April 18, 1938 in Springfield IL to Morton and Hazel Spence.  When Ebbie was 13, she met the love of her life, Donald Fenstermaker and they were wed December 3, 1955.

Ebbie was the consummate artist who loved painting and anything artistic.  She brought joy to others through her paintings, cake decorating, singing, and performing arts.  She was a devout woman of God and was highly active in her church. She will be remembered most of all for her care, concern, and undying love for her family and friends and all the lives she profoundly touched.

Ebbie was selected as Air Force Wife of the Year at Tinker Air Force Base and was the Runner Up for the National Air Force Wife of the Year.  She built a library at Tinker Elementary School, umpired little league baseball, taught ceramics and cooking lessons, decorated elaborate cakes, participated in a missionary program to spread the word of God to incarcerated individuals through Floyd’s Follies, a vaudeville style show from West Side Christian Church.  She would paint watercolors and pastels creating amazing artwork with different themes.   Every year, family and friends would receive pieces of art she’d created specially just for them. 

Those who knew her though, will remember her for her undying love for her family and friends.  Ever committed to those around her, Ebbie’s compassionate nature was ever present to provide loving advice and a heartfelt shoulder to lean on.  Her sense of humor was infectious to the point when she’d laugh, all around her would laugh as well. Her greatest accomplishments weren’t accomplishments at all – they were merely who she was.  For those who knew her, her greatest accomplishment will always be remembered as being the best wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend for which anyone could hope.  She will be missed dearly.

Ebbie was preceded in death by her father Morton, and mother Hazel, her brother Morton Spence Jr., and grandson Jeremy Tagle. She is survived by her husband Donald Fenstermaker, Sr., and her three children, Donald Fenstermaker Jr., Donna (Michael) White, and David Fenstermaker, her sister Dorothy (Barney) Hart, and her brother Jack (Arja) Spence, her 6 grandchildren, Kaila White, Trevor (Lillian) White, Kent Hefley, Brandon Fenstermaker, Sierra Fenstermaker, Jacqueline Tagle, and 4 great grandchildren, Makenzie Fox, Hudson Race, Lilly White, and Kennedy Merza.

A memorial service will be held on March 11th honoring Ebbie’s life.  Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and memorial services will begin at 12:00 pm at The Crossroads Church in Anthem AZ, located at 42105 N 41st Dr, Anthem, AZ 85086, PH: 623-466-7964.  Lunch will be served after the service. Charitable donations may be sent to thecrossroardscares.org.