Helen Estelle Spruce

Mother Helen E. Spruce, 77, of Toledo, ascended into the light of God's glory on Thursday, July 28, 2005, in Toledo Hospital. She was born in Birmingham, AL, to her proud parents, Rosa and Webster Jordan. She was a tireless worker and servant for her community. After moving to Toledo with her husband, George Spruce, Jr. in 1954, she went directly to work serving the infirm and the sick as a nurse's aide at both Mercy and Toledo Hospitals. As a single parent in the early 1960's, she became the primary caregiver to her mother, an elder sister and four young children. Undaunted by her circumstances, she went back to college at the age of 35 and became a social worker and community organizer in the Toledo area with the former Ashland Avenue Urban Renewal Program of the late 1960's. Before her quick and hurried demise, she attained three academic degrees from The University of Toledo which included an Associates, Bachelors and Masters of Education. She became a proponent for the poor and disadvantaged and ended her career as an honored educator with the Toledo Public Schools. In 2001, The University of Toledo, through its Alumni Association, honored Helen E. Spruce as one of it's first 43 most outstanding minority alumni graduates. She received her early instruction from the Zion City, AL, Elementary School and the Hooper City High School. Moving to Toledo in the early 1950's, Helen continued the growth of her family to a total of four children, Sherry L. Newton -(LA) Frost of Toledo, Donald Ray Spruce (deceased), Kenneth L. Spruce of Toledo and Simone Renee Spruce of Providence, RI.
Mrs. Spruce made a commitment to Jesus at the tender age of 10 and served faithfully the stewardship of Reverend Welch of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Birmingham. Later she renewed her commitment to Christ at the St. Mark's Baptist Church in Toledo, under the direction of Reverend I.J. Johnson. In 1981, Mother Spruce followed the leadership of Pastor Bobby L. Welborn and became a charter member of the Charity Baptist Church. Sister Spruce served as Church Clerk, Sunday School Teacher, Willing Worker, the Baptismal, the Benevolent, and the Pastor's Aid Committees and the Mother's Board.
Mother Spruce leaves to mourn her earthly loss: daughters, Sherry L. Newton - (LA) Frost and Simone Renee Spruce of Providence, RI, and son, Kenneth L. Spruce of Toledo; 6 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild and a host of other loving relatives and kind and beloved Christian friends. Mother Spruce was a true child of God and a willing worker. She loved God, her family, her church, her community and all of God's creations. We will miss her warm smile, supportive encouragement but mostly we will miss the fact that Mother Spruce was always there for everyone who wanted and needed her loving touch and embrace whenever it was needed. And so we say..." well done thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord". (Matthew 25:21).
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, August 1, 2005, in the C. Brown Funeral Home, Inc., Chapel, 1629 Nebraska Avenue (419) 255-7682. Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 2, 2005, at 11 a.m. from her beloved Charity Baptist Church, 1850 N. Superior Street, preceded by Family Hour at 10 a.m. Pastor Bobby L. Welborn, Officiant.
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