Zeke - one more possibility for the missing spell check if you use Outlook Express 6.0 (you mentioned Outlook - so not sure if it's Outllook or Outlook Express).
Microsoft has an article where the Spelling command in Outlook Express 6 is no longer available after you install Works 7.0. Here is a link to that article in case it applies to your situation:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;832537&Product=oex