Rufus Spencer

RUFUS SPENCER, 76, of Bluefield, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, on Resurrection Sunday, March 27, 2016. He was born on December 23, 1939, in Welch, WV, to the late Rufus and Mary Ella Wade Spencer. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Baylor Spencer and Charles Spencer; and one sister, Cecelia Spencer. Rufus attended the Elkhorn and Northfork school system in McDowell County, WV. After school, he was employed with Stevens Clinic and was a coal miner in Welch, WV. After moving to Bluefield, WV, he was employed for 36 years with Norfolk Southern Railroad until his retirement in 1996. Rufus was a devoted and loving husband to the love of his life, Shirley Dodson Spencer, his wife of 56 years. He was also a devoted father to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Left to honor and cherish his memory are his five children: Billy Tyrone (Shari) Spencer, Bluefield, VA, Don (Sabrina) Spencer, Cincinnati, OH, Sherry Spencer, Bluefield, VA, Kimbo Spencer, Bluefield, WV, and Sharon (LaCarter) Black, Winston-Salem, NC. Two brothers: James Spencer and Robert Bruce (Francis) Spencer, both of Martinsville, VA; and seven sisters: Mahalie “Tookie” Burnett, Dorothy “Dot” (Larry) Moyer and Pamela (Manuel) Bethel, of Martinsville, VA; Shirley (Larry) McKoy of Dunn, NC; Mary Juanita Spencer and Jessie Mae Draper of New Rochelle, NY; and Marie (Vernon) Davis of Rocky Mount, Virginia. Six grandchildren: His first grandchild, whom he helped to raise, Maranda (Vinton) Lee of Clemmons, NC; Sean Spencer of Dallas, TX; Shanae (BJ) Barber of Charlotte, NC; Ceara Spencer of Jacksonville, FL; and Jadon and Samara Black of Winston-Salem, NC. Four great-Grandchildren: Cameron, Symone, Logan, Ryan, Jr. Special Family and friends: Andrew Dodson, Jerry Cochran, Doris Bell, Evelyn White, and Lisa Dean Williams; In-Laws: Lois (James) Williams of Cleveland, OH; Aresia “Reece” Johnson of Norfolk, VA; Jackie Mitchell of Roanoke, VA; Noel (Ray) Hamlett of Bluefield, VA; Lamont (Karen) Dodson of Beckley, WV; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family will receive friends from 11:00am until Noon on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Greater Mt. Zion Pentecostal Church, 104 Park Street, Bluefield, WV, where home-going services will be conducted at 12:00 noon with Bishop Samuel Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA. Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, 3431 Coal Heritage Road (Bluewell), Bluefield, WV 24701 is serving the family.