Francis R. "Frank" Spencer

Francis R. "Frank" Spencer, 96, passed away on August 10, 2025, at Commonwealth Senior Living-Churchland House, in Portsmouth, Virginia. A native of Roper, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Marvin Earl and Mildred Ange Spencer.

He graduated from Roper High School in 1947, worked on the family farm and as a mechanic, and served in the Korean War in the Army Cavalry in 1951-1952, rising to the rank of Corporal. After coming home from the war, he graduated from East Carolina Teachers' College in 1956.

Frank met his wife, Fleda, in a teachers' bowling league in Norfolk, Virginia. They married on August 24, 1963, and settled in Virginia Beach. Frank and Fleda were charter members of Virginia Beach Christian Church and raised their family in the church. Frank taught Industrial Arts, including wood shop, mechanical drawing, drafting, and architecture, for 30 years at Norview High School, retiring in 1986. He loved woodworking and building his duplex. Frank was a very frugal and resourceful man, a good husband and father, a good provider, and a hard worker. In addition to teaching, he stayed busy as a landlord. He was once asked how he knew how to build and fix things, and he said, "I'm a good reader."

In addition to his parents, Frank was predeceased by his wife, Fleda Peerman Spencer; two older brothers, Marvin Earl Jr and his wife, Alice, and Gerald Carlyle Spencer; two brothers-in-law: Phillip C. 'Phil" Peerman and his wife, Anne, and Robert H. "Bob" Peerman; and a nephew, Marvin Earl "Jack" Spencer III. He is survived by his three daughters: Elizabeth "Beth" Fischer and her husband, Tom, Patricia "Tricia" Bashor, and Katherine "Kathy" Hanes and her husband, Carl; four grandchildren: Lauren Fischer, Nathan Fischer, Michael Bashor, and Sarah Perdue; one great grandchild, Damien Bravo, a brother-in-law: William H. "Jack" Peerman Jr. and his wife, Carollyn; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and a special friend, Judy Pixton.

The family will receive friends and family at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel, 1264 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, on Sunday, August 17, from 4-6 pm. A funeral will be conducted on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11 am, at Virginia Beach Christian Church, 2225 Rose Hall Drive, Virginia Beach. A graveside service will follow in Princess Anne Memorial Park, 1110 N Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Virginia Beach Christian Church. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.