Our Patriarch’s Journey

“Our Patriarch,” Paul Eugene Spencer, was born to the late William and Alice Spencer on March 14, 1942, in Dixie, GA. A great and generous storyteller with a huge heart, he was affectionately known as “Paul E.” He was always eager to help and provide a foundation to anyone who sought his opinion. Throughout his life, even until his transitioning at seventy-nine years old, his mind was cognitively sharp.

He was a graduate of the 1960s Washington Street High School “Wildcats,” and he said he was a star football and basketball player. Wink, wink! After high school, he joined the Army. He served three years and received an honorable discharge. After thirty years, he retired from BellSouth-Ryder Dedicated Logistics. He was also a deacon in the church for most of his adult life, and most of all, he was a father, godfather, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

The major chapter of his life was FAMILY. On October 17, 1960, he married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Geneva Demps, who gave him the nickname “Paul E,” her term of endearment for him. They were inseparable for fifty-nine years. To this union, five children were born. His daughter, Sheila Boyd, preceded him in death, as well as his sister, Alice Hearn.

On May 2, 2021, he completed his promise to GOD to return home. He always kept his promises. He knew we would miss him, but he also knew he would always be in our hearts.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife, Geneva Spencer; three daughters, Tammie Collie of Boca Raton, FL and twins, LaRhonda Spencer of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Lawonda Spencer of Miami, FL; one son, Paul Spencer, Jr., (Renee) of Miramar, FL; goddaughter, LaQuisha Smith of Jacksonville, FL; three sisters, Marilyn Grant (James) of Valdosta, GA, Edna Robinson (Perry) of Valdosta, GA, and Teresa Scruggs of Dixie, GA; three brothers, John Spencer of Dixie, GA, James Spencer (Karen) of Dixie, GA, and William Jr., (Annette) of Miami, FL; thirteen grandchildren, Takia Johnson (Tyler), Jordy Spencer, Brandon Spencer, Mashonda Smith, Adrian Smith, Jr., Tia Spencer, Eriq Collie, Kendra Smith, Jacobi Wright, Tiffany Maloy, Brien Spencer, Tony Maloy, and Bryce Spencer, all of South FL; one god-granddaughter, Autumn White of Jacksonville, FL; sister- and brothers-in-law, JoAnn King (Kelly), Mary Thompson (Ruben), and Kelly Demps; special friends, Dewitt Hollis of Atlanta, GA and Calvin Barnum of Miami, FL; eighteen plus great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life will be Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 11AM at Simmon Hill M.B. Church Cemetery with Rev. James Huewitt, Sr., eulogist. Visitation will be Friday at the Stevens-McGhee Chapel from 3PM-7PM. Continue to keep the Spencer Family in your daily thoughts and prayers.