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SAMUEL SPENCER Obituary
SPENCER, 98
LAKELAND - Samuel Hague Spencer passed away Tues, Oct 3, 2016 after a brief illness. He was 98. Sam was born November 10, 1917 to Melville and Amanda Trent Spencer, in Lee County, Virginia, the eighth of eleven children, all of whom predeceased him. He graduated from Lincoln Memorial University in 1940 and later served on the Board of Trustees. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities and was named to the Professional Hall of Fame.
Sam briefly taught school before enlisting in the US Army Air Corps in WWII and was a gunnery instructor for bomber crews on B-24s and B-17s. In 1945 he married Mary Frances Miller.
Sam moved to Lakeland in 1948 and was employed with Dominion Foods and Meade Containers before becoming a private produce broker in 1972. He Married Mary Louise Evans Middents on November 29, 1969.
Sam was a member and usher at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland for more than 50 years. Sam also served on the board of the YMCA for more than 20 years and volunteered at Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he drove the tram and played Santa Claus. He volunteered with SCORE and organized the United Cerebral Policy group in Lakeland. Sam was also a Shriner and a member of the Masons for 75 years.
Sam is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Spencer, daughter Mara Spencer and husband Edward Hogan of Clifton, VA, stepson Jonathan Middents and wife Victoria of Pearland, TX, grandson Joel Middents and wife Lydia, granddaughter Erin Leitko and husband Cade, and three great grandchildren, all of Friendswood, TX.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, October 6, 2016, at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Sam and Mary Lou Spencer Endowed Scholarship, Lincoln Memorial University, Attn: Cynthia Whitt, 6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway, Harrogate, TN 37752.
Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.heathfuneralchapel.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for SAMUEL SPENCER
Sara Lynn Carlisle Ferrence
September 28, 2024
You've been with our Lord 8 years now but the thought of you and Mary still puts a smile on my face and sweet memories in my heart.
John Daniels
October 13, 2016
I will never forget Uncle Sam: his smile, cheerful greetings, and of course taking me to Disney World and Epcot Center as a child.
I am praying for all our family during this time of loss. May we be comforted by the loving arms of God!
Brenda lovell
October 11, 2016
Our condolences to Meara for the loss of her father, a great man. Cherish your memories of your dad and he will live in your heart forever. Dave and Brenda Lovell
Sara Lynn Carlisle-Ferrence
October 9, 2016
So sorry for your loss, Mary Lou. May your faith keep you strong at this difficult time.
I will miss Sam's wonderful smile, his cheerful greeting, and his good spirit. I feel so blessed to have known him. One of my precious memories is of his daily walks in our neighborhood where I first met him; more recently him sitting on a chair in your driveway where I would honk and wave to him as I passed by on my way to Publix. How lucky I have been to see you both at church on Sundays where he always gave me a smile, gentle hug, and his "I love you, sweetie" greeting. Always a gentle man and a gentleman; Sundays at church won't be the same without his presence.
May he walk gingerly, with his walking stick, in the paths of Heaven greeting all those who enter into God's holy land, for there is no doubt he is with our Heavenly Father.
May the angels comfort you and your family, and may you find comfort knowing he is well.
Barbara and Tom Richards
October 8, 2016
One of the Dearest,Friendliest man I have ever known.Sam will be missed by so many.Sympathy to the family.
Helen Dotson LMU '63
October 8, 2016
As a fellow graduate of Lincoln Memorial Univ, I met Sam when he hosted the winter LMU get-togethers at the Yacht Club. He was a kind and generous man and will be greatly missed.
October 7, 2016
So sad to lose a wonderful uncle. Our sympathy to Marilou, wishing we could have been there for you. Love, Dave and Brenda Lovell
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Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801
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