Mary Praxedes, one of four children of Mark and Cora Lula (Spalding) Spalding, was born November 15, 1912, in Calvary, Ky. Her faith journey began with baptism two days later at Holy Name of Mary Church.
In September 1919, Praxedes began her formal education at Pine Hill College, a one-room school near Calvary. Later she transferred to Holy Name of Mary School, where she completed eighth grade and two years of high school.
On September 8, 1932, Praxedes entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph to begin the three-year preparation for the life as an Ursuline. During this time, she continued classes at Mount Saint Joseph Academy and earned a high school diploma. On March 18, 1933, she received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Mary Praxedes.
Shortly after profession of temporary vows in 1935, Sister received her first assignment as housekeeper for the teaching Sisters and as church organist at Wynot, Neb. Her duties remained much the same for the next 11 years in Paul, Neb.; Waterflow, N.M.; and Louisville (St. Paul and St. Columba) and Knottsville, Ky. She furthered her own education during the summer months of these years, earning a bachelor’s degree at Brescia in 1968. She was then assigned to teach Ursuline-staffed schools in Kentucky at Fancy Farm, Fairfield, Paducah (Rosary Chapel), Sorgho, Knottsville, Bardwell, Earlington, Stanley, Clementsville, Howardstown, and Rome, as well as in Nebraska City, Neb., and Glennonville, Mo. Sister retired from classroom teaching in 1978 and served as tutor for five years at St. Bartholomew, Buechel, Ky. During her last three years of active duty, she resided at the Ursuline Convent in Lebanon, Ky., serving in outreach ministry to parishioners of St. Augustine parish and surrounding areas.
Sister Praxedes retired to the Motherhouse in 1986 spending time in prayer, making crafts and helping the older Sisters. After a brief confinement in the infirmary, Sister died February 25, 1997. On February 27, Father Bruce Fogle celebrated the funeral Mass. With six of her nephews serving as pallbearers, her remains were carried to the convent cemetery for burial.