Lesa Marie Spacek Worsham

Lesa Marie Spacek Worsham, 74, of Kingsport, TN, passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025, in the loving presence of her family.

Lesa is preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Mary Smith Spacek, her father, Frank Joseph Spacek, and her brother, Larry Thomas Spacek. She is survived by her husband of fifty-two years, Paul Worsham, and two daughters and sons-in-law, Emily Worsham and Jan Render and Rebecca Worsham and Hans Hansen. She is also survived by her grandson, Theo Hansen.

Lesa grew up in Pennsburg, PA, and was very proud of her roots in eastern Pennsylvania. She graduated from Ursinus College in 1972 before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earning her Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1977. She was the first in her family to earn a graduate degree, and was an advocate for women in science her entire life. She enjoyed a long career in the James Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University, performing biochemistry research and mentoring graduate students. Lesa was fortunate to travel the world, and was always happy to experience new (for her) cultures through the people, art, and food on her travels. She was very involved with volunteering, both as a girl scout leader and at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church. She really enjoyed working on the Missions Committee and at the Clothes Cottage at the church. She loved adopting stray cats and dogs, murder mysteries (preferably British), knitting and crocheting, Bellafina Chocolates, and making sure that everyone knew they were loved. She was (and is) a wonderful wife, mother, and friend who will be deeply missed.

She believed strongly in, and lived by, the quote by Michael Faraday: "But still try, for who knows what is possible?"

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 15, at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church in Kingsport, TN (631 Lebanon Road, Kingsport TN 37663). Visitation begins at 1pm, and the service will be held at 2pm. Pastor Tim Paul will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Bridge Home No-Kill Animal Rescue (<https://bridgehome.org/donate-now/>), Colonial Heights United Methodist Church (<https://onrealm.org/ColonialHeights71169/-/form/give/now>), or the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (<https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/650880021>).

Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family, online condolences can be shared with the family on our website at www.trinitymemorialcenters.com.