Charles Spence

1925 - 2010

Charles Wilson Spence was born January 31, 1925 at Greenville, SC unto John Doane Spence, Sr. and Lillian Evelyn Wilson Spence, passed away March 17, 2010. His father, born in Clayton, NC was a local merchant. His mother was the daughter of Julian Sidney Wilson, the Founder of Simpsonville, SC. He was a nephew of C. Douglas Wilson, a Mortgage Banker and of Robert S. Mealing, Mayor of North Augusta. Mrs. Spence died in 1939, Mr. Spence in 1945. A brother, John Doane Spence, Jr. died in 1980.
Mr. Spence graduated Greenville Senior High School in 1941.
During World War II he served in the South Pacific as a Coxswain on a landing craft in the 543rd Amphibious Brigade, surviving 62 separate Campaigns, and was Honorably Discharged in 1946.
In 1946, he entered Duke University and in 1948, he entered Duke University Law School.
In 1950, he passed the Virginia Bar and was admitted to practice in Virginia.
In 1951, he graduated Duke University Law School. He then took and passed the South Carolina Bar and was admitted to practice in South Carolina. He associated with the Law Firm of Leatherwood, Walker, Todd and Mann.
In 1953, he formed a partnership with Younts during which time they founded Fountain Inn Federal Savings and Loan Association.
In 1959, he founded Travelers Rest Federal Savings and Loan Association, serving as a Director, Secretary and Attorney for over twenty years. In 1965 he became a sole practitioner at 101 Broadus Avenue, Greenville, SC.
One of Mr. Spence's proudest accomplishments was passing the Virginia Bar Exam after his second year of law school.
Mr. Spence is survived by his wife of 37 ½ years, Martha Wooten Spence of the home; two sons, Steven R. Spence of Travelers Rest, SC and Edward D. Spence of Greenville, SC; two daughters, Laura J. Spence of Lexington, Ky and Susan F. Spence of Abington, VA; two grandchildren, Jessica M. Spence and John W. Spence and a nephew, John D. Spence, III and his wife Carole B. Spence.
Graveside services will be held at 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon at The Spence Family Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2pm until 8pm at the home on Friday, March 19, 2010, 259 Pine Log Ford Road, Travelers Rest, SC 29690.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at thoughts@manpowersc.com or at www.thehowzemortuary.com.
The Howze Mortuary, Travelers Rest is in charge of arrangements. (864) 834-8051