Jerry Lee Spencer

Dr. Jerry Lee Spencer

1939-2026

Dr. Jerry Lee Spencer, 86, of Savannah, Tennessee, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on February 14, 2026.

Born in 1939 and raised in Osceola, Arkansas, Jerry was the son of Vannie and Pauline Spencer. He was saved at 11 years old in a revival meeting at First Baptist Church of Osceola. He answered the call to preach at the age of 17, beginning a preaching ministry that would span nearly 70 years.

A passionate soul winner and tireless preacher of the Gospel, Dr. Spencer served as a senior pastor or interim pastor in seven states, but his first love was always itinerate ministry. He preached more than 1,500 revival meetings, over 100 area-wide crusades, and countless conferences, retreats, and camp meetings. He made mission trips to more than 50 countries on four continents, including more than 60 trips to India alone. He preached in churches, prisons, schools, marketplaces, open-air venues, and stadiums. He conducted pastors' and leadership conferences and evangelistic crusades around the world.

Dr. Spencer also served faithfully in denominational leadership, including nine years on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee and as Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He also served as president of both the SBC Pastors' Conference and the SBC Conference of Evangelists and was inducted into the Southern Baptist Evangelists' "Hall of Faith" in 2008.

Jerry Spencer's life was marked by lots of fun, faithful friendship, generous giving, and tireless work. He was a man of many talents, recording several albums of gospel music, authoring several books, and becoming an accomplished painter. 

He attended Union University before graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1964 and later attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received several honorary degrees, including a doctorate from Liberty University. Most recently, he served as staff evangelist at Riverview Baptist Church in Savannah, Tennessee. 

Dr. Spencer was preceded in death by his wife of more than 50 years, Sue Walker Spencer; his parents, Vannie and Pauline Spencer; and his three younger brothers, Billy, Donald, and Larry Joe Spencer. 

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Norris Robertson Spencer of Savannah; his four children: Jan Hooper (Rick), Van Spencer (Rose), Dan Spencer (Tresa), and Dolly Ann Ezell (Bill); his grandchildren: Brandi, Hannah, Spencer, Pate, Will, Jeremiah, Jacob, Laura, Nichole, and Andi; many great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family members and dear friends all over the world.

Memorial contributions may be made to Riverview Baptist Church Building Fund.