"When peace, like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot. thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul."
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ms. Lillian Spence of Elizabeth City, North Carolina who answered the Master's call on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
Celebration of Life Services will take place on Saturday, August 15, 2020 in the Chapel of Adkins Memorial Funeral Home. A viewing and visitation will take place on Friday, August 14, 2020 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the funeral home. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, no persons attending the viewing or the funeral service will be permitted to enter without a mask. Social distancing measures will also be in effect for the viewing and funeral service. The family wishes to thank everyone for their willingness to adhere to these guidelines in advance.
Mrs. Lillian Lowry Spence was born to the late Shelton Ray Lowry and Hazel Daniels Lowry in Camden County, North Carolina on November 1, 1933, and departed this life on August 8, 2020 at her residence in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
At age 12, she was baptized at the New Sawyer's Creek Baptist Church under the pastorate of the Reverend T. A. White. Lillian was a faithful and supportive member of the Junior Usher Board and the Sunday School Choir until she established residence in Elizabeth City, North Carolina where she became a member of Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend J.R.R McRay. Lillian sang in the Missionary, Senior, and Mass Choirs at Cornerstone. She was a faithful Bible class member and always supported the fundraising efforts for numerous church programs. In 1995, Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church honored Mrs. Spence as “Mother of the Year.”
Lillian attended the public schools of Camden and Pasquotank counties. She further her education by taking classes at the College of Albemarle and Elizabeth City State University. Her studies were concentrated in education, art, and business.
As a child in the middle 1940s and early 1950s, she worked in the potato and cotton fields of Camden County. In 1957, she was employed by the late Dr. and Mrs. E.L Hoffler for 6 years. She also worked at Shannon’s grocery store for 6 years. From 1968 until 1989, she was employed by the Elizabeth City State University Laboratory School as an Educational Development Aide I. On October 15th, 1990, she was employed by Albemarle Mental Health until she retired on July 1st, 1997.
Lillian was the loving mother of three children: Christopher (Cecile), Jesse Levern (Elaine) and Jackie Marie, who all preceded her in death. Lillian leaves to cherish her memories, her grandsons, Troy and Kevin Jones, who showed their unconditional love for their grandmother by being her primary caregivers when her health began to decline; seven grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, one sister, Julia B. Major of Elizabeth City, N.C. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was also preceded in death by her four brothers: George, Shelton, Bobby and Calvin.
Adkins Memorial Funeral Home is assisting the Spence and connecting families with profound excellence and care during their time of bereavement.
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