THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 20, 1994 TAG: 9410200343
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
P.I.P. Sylvester L. Spence Sr., 67, of the 800 block of Wolcott Ave., a retired music teacher, died Oct. 18, 1994, in DePaul Medical Center.
Mr. Spence was born in Newland, N.C. He had retired from Norfolk Public Schools after 29 years. He was a life member of the United House of Prayer for All People, Norfolk No. 1. He held many offices and positions such as band president of spiritual bands; president of Male Usher Board; coordinator of Land and Building Acquisition for the Bishop. He was a past master of Norfolk New Light Lodge 196, F&AM Masons; past and illustrious potentate of Arabia Temple 12; Imperial Director of Music for the Shrine; Past Fish Bowl Parade chairman; chairman of the Alpha and Omega Consistory No. 9, P.H.A., life member of the National Education Association, Virginia Education Association and Norfolk Education Association; 32nd and 33rd degree Mason; worshipful Grand Marshal of the most worshipful Grand Lodge of Virginia; charter member of New Light Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star No. 219, P.H.A., past board member of Norfolk Teachers Association Federal Credit Union No. 1289 and chairman of its Education Committee; a professional musician and past secretary of Musicians Local 702, AFL-CIO; a past president, business manager, and past member of the Lions Social Club of Norfolk. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Lambda Omega Chapter, and served as Basileus of Lambda Omega Chapter. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary G. Spence and Cliaie L. Spence.
Survivors include his wife, Iris G. Spence; a daughter, Debra Spence Rucker of Washington, D.C.; four sons, Ronald L. Spence, Sylvester L. Spence Jr. and Tracey L. Spence, all of Norfolk, and Michael L. Spence Sr. of New Mexico; a brother, James Lee Spence of San Diego, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Deshawn Spence Haith, Derek Rucker, Lauren Rucker, Michael Spence, Zebie Spence, Aarica Spence and Justin Coston; and one great-grandchild, Lexus Haith.
The funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday in United House of Prayer, Burton Mission, Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, by Elder J.T. Ford. Burial will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park. A wake will be held Friday night at 7 p.m. Hale Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Family will assemble at 6218 Sedgefield Drive for procession to the church. ILLUSTRATION: Personal Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY
by CNB