Mother Bernice Washington Spencer
December 14, 1936 – September 06, 2020
Bernice was born December 14, 1936 in Kendrick FL and the only child gifted to Henry and Gertrude Washington. After the death of her natural father at a very early age, Bernice was raised in the loving home provided by her second dad and mom, Mr. & Mrs. Woodrow W. Ford and mom, Gertrude Ford.
Bernice is a graduate of Howard High School class of 1954 and was named Class Sweetheart all four years. She was married to Jesse W. Spencer, Sr. (deceased) on July 2, 1955 to which 5 children were born: Jesse (Sheila) and Curtis (both who preceded her in death), Linda, James Sr. and Felicia. She has two devoted daughters-in-love; Sheila (Jesse) and LaTonja (James Sr) and a committed son-in-love James (Felicia).
Bernice was grandmother to (12) Keaton Russ, Temeka Davis, VonKeith Spencer, Kelley Spencer, Rhiannon Wright, Jesse Spencer Jr III, Curtisha Spencer, Desmond Spencer, James Spencer Jr, Shatara Spencer, James Latson, Alourdes Latson; Great-Grandmother to (19) DeShondre Morant, Austin Davis, Aaliyah Shepherd, Dallas Davis, Jermaine Shepherd Jr, Keaton Russ Jr., Christian Strickland, Nia Strickland, Kingston Russ, Shyla Spencer, Curtis Bostick, Bryon Wheeler, Braylen Wheeler, Will Wheeler, Zoey Nwogu, Brielle Wheeler, Azariah Wright, Sariah Latson, Journee Spencer.
In her lifetime Bernice wore many hats in the workplace, but prior to her retirement she was employed by Martin Marietta Aerospace from 1971 – 1992 retiring as a Materials Coordinator Supervisor. She did not let the title of retirement define her activities and remained active in her home church, New St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Sr. Pastor Richard Howard, Sr. She was a lover of any type of puzzles including Crossword (which she completed in ink!), Jig Saw, and Sudoku. She loved electronic games and consistently defeated her kids, grandkids and challengers from around the country in Words with Friends and Scrabble. She established and still holds the family title of Bop-It-Queen.
Bernice made her transition from this temporal earthly existence to her eternal resting place with Christ on September 6, 2020. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon with her family at her side. She left with the fresh memory of her beloved New St. Mary MBC choir at her bedroom window singing just hours earlier.

To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Bernice W Spencer, visit the Tribute Store.

Previous Events