Grace L.J. Spencer

Mrs. Grace Lee Jones Spencer, 103, of Hopewell, departed this life on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at River View on The Appomattox, Hopewell.

She was born on Aug. 5, 1907, in Lunenburg, Va., to the late Lizzie Watkins and Charles Jones.

Mrs. Spencer was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Spencer; two sisters, Alice Troy and Gladys Irby; one brother, Willie Calviness; one daughter, Elizabeth Spencer Jackson; two sons, Willie H. Spencer and Augusta L. Spencer; one son-in-law, Garfield Jackson Jr.; one grandson, Russell Jackson; and one great-grandson, Nelson Jackson.

She was referred to by many as "Mama Grace" or "Mother Grace." She loved children and spent much of her life helping to raise children in the neighborhood. She loved people, always wore a smile, was humble and had a great sense of humor.

She was a faithful member of the Union Baptist Church, Hopewell and a member of the Pastor's Aid Ministry.

Mrs. Spencer is survived by: three grandsons, Willie H. Jackson Sr. (Carolyn) of Hopewell, Garfield Jackson, Jr. (Ruth) of Petersburg and Ceasar U. Jackson Sr. (Elizabeth) of Hopewell; seven great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren; four godchildren, Carolyn Thompson, Roscoe Davis, Jerell Jones and devoted Charlotte Jones; devoted friends, Brenda Bland, Teresa Brown, Deacon Jean Hawkins, Emily Hicks other family members and countless friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 4, 2011, at Union Baptist Church, 212 Terminal St., Hopewell, with Rev. Joshua King officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Sinai Community Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Union Baptist Church Building Fund. The family may be contacted at 804-861-1625, 804-541-0744 or 804-541-7943.

Arrangements entrusted to the staff of Turner-Bland Funeral Home, Hopewell. Rev. William N. Bland Jr., funeral director. Online condolences may be left at www.blandenterprisesinc.com.