Jerre Sprouse, formally Margaret Geraldine Klutts, was born on January 11, 1933, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Horace and Effie Klutts. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 6, 2026, at the age of 93.

Jerre spent her early childhood in Terrell, Texas, before her family moved to Dallas. She graduated from Sunset High School in 1950. The first in her family to attend college, Jerre attended The University of Texas at Austin, where she studied Sociology and earned her teaching certificate. During her years at the University, Jerre was elected president of the Baptist Student Union, the first woman ever to hold that title. It was an early indication of the leadership skills that would define much of her life.

After graduation, Jerre taught Junior High History in Austin for several years. While teaching she met Harlow Sprouse from Vega, Texas, who had returned from the Air Force to become a lawyer. Jerre and Harlow were married on June 8, 1958, in the Chapel of the University Baptist Church, beginning a love story & partnership and that would shape the rest of their lives.

Jerre and Harlow made their home in Amarillo, where they started a family with three daughters, Lisa, Leslie & Laurie. While most of her energy went to raising their family and supporting Harlow’s law practice Jerre also gave her time and considerable volunteering talents to causes she believed in. She was active in the Amarillo Lawyers Auxiliary and had a gift for making people feel important and valued.

Jerre had an extraordinary eye for beauty and simplicity. She loved making spaces beautiful, whether in her own home, her daughters’ homes and apartments, or Harlow’s law office. Decorating, arranging, and organizing gave her great joy. She had a way of making every place feel more gracious and welcoming.

Jerre and Harlow loved to travel together. One of their favorite places was Estes Park, Colorado, and over the years they shared adventures to many wonderful places around the world. They also opened their home to international foreign exchange students, one of whom, Gabriela Biner Christen of Switzerland, became another beloved daughter and part of a friendship and family bond that lasted more than 40 years.

One of Jerre’s proudest and most lasting accomplishments was bringing CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for children, to Amarillo. As founder and first president of CASA in Amarillo, she helped turn a dream into a living and vital reality for abused and neglected children in the Texas Panhandle. With perseverance and compassion, she helped raise funds, recruit board members, directors and volunteers, and built the foundation for an organization that would go on to change countless young lives. Those who worked beside her remember her as a true champion for children.

Jerre cared deeply for her family, her community, children, and those who needed someone in their corner. She believed in making the world better for people who were hurting or overlooked.

To her family, Jerre was the center of everything. Her husband, Harlow, called her the love of his life and cherished her devotion to their family. Together they built a life focused on service, laughter, and the joy brought brought by their three daughters and five grandsons.

Jerre was preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Effie Klutts, and by her beloved husband, Harlow Sprouse.

She is survived by her three daughters: Lisa Wells and her husband, Daniel Wells, and their sons, Oliver, his wife Hollie, and Emory; Leslie Carson and her husband, Christo Carson, and their son, Alexander; and Laurie Sprouse and her husband, Chris Cole, and their sons, Matthew and Zachary. She is also survived by her sister, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Langford Sneed; by Norma’s children, Teri, Daron, and Susan, along with their spouses and children.

She is also lovingly remembered by people who became family to her along the way, including Kathy Fain Green, Val Lenington, and other cherished friends who held a special place in her heart.

A celebration of Jerre’s life will be held later this summer in Dallas, where most of her family now resides. Details will be shared at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes gifts to CASA of Amarillo, in honor of her lifelong commitment to children in need of protection, advocacy, and hope.