John Arthur Spencer Sr.

John Arthur Spencer, Sr., 91, of Byhalia, MS went to be with the Lord on December 12, 2025. Mr. Spencer was born at home on January 11, 1934, in Horn Lake, MS to the late Larkin Johnson Spencer and Mary Ruth Goad. He lived most of his life as a proud Desoto County resident. 

He served our country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He attended Northwest Mississippi Community College where he played football. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg where he attended on the GI bill. 

After obtaining his degree, he relocated to Atlantic City, New Jersey where he used his management skills at Woolworths Department Store. He later returned to the south to take over his father’s store, Spencer’s Variety. He then dedicated his career to the service of his family and the government. In 1981 he joined the family business, Griffin, Inc. His life motto was, “Work hard and Do good.” He never met a stranger and to know him was to love him. Mr. Spencer was a believer in Jesus Christ and a faithful member of Center Hill Baptist Church in Olive Branch, MS. 

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Sheila Marie Spencer. 

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jane Griffin Spencer; son, John Arthur Spencer, Jr.; daughter, Heather Hickman (Todd); daughter, Amy Presley (Jamie); 10 adored grandchildren; and a host of 20 great-grandchildren. 

The family will receive friends at Center Hill Baptist Church for a time of visitation Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 10-11 am with a funeral service to begin at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Poplar Springs Cemetery in Vardaman, MS. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association or his beloved church, Center Hill Baptist in his honor.