Ruth Peavey Spence

Services for Ruth Peavey Spence of Thomasville are at 10:00AM on Saturday, December 11, 2004 at Allen & Allen Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Milton C. Gardner will officiate and interment will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Spence died December 8, 2004 at the age of 79 after a lengthy illness. Ruth Peavey Spence was born Ruth Ellen Peavey on July 25, 1925 in Unadilla, GA. She was the firstborn daughter of Mr. James Kinney Peavey and Mrs. Rosalie Patterson Peavey. Mrs. Spence graduated from Unadilla High School in 1942. Mrs. Spence was an accomplished pianist and played the piano for educational and church functions throughout her life. Her college years were spent at Georgia State College for Women, now Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA. She graduated from there in 1946 with a Bachelor?s Degree in Business.
Following her graduation, she found employment as a school teacher in Dublin, GA., where she taught high school business courses. She later taught at Glynn Academy in Brunswick, GA. While in Brunswick, she lived on St. Simons, Island, where she met her husband, Ernest Spence in 1949. They were married in Unadilla, GA. on September 18, 1949 by the Rev. T. F. Calloway, former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Thomasville, GA.
Mrs. Spence moved to Thomasville, following her marriage to Ernest Spence. There she joined the First Baptist Church, where she was active in the Sunday School Program and the Women?s Missionary Union and was the accompanist for the Junior Sunday School Department. Mrs. Spence gave birth to Kay Frances Spence Jordan on September 12, 1950 and to William Ernest Spence, Jr., ?Rocky? on March 19, 1954. During her children?s formative years, Mrs. Spence was involved in their activities, which included Girl Scouts, School Activities and Sports. Mrs. Spence was also an avid gardener and grew beautiful roses. She was awarded for her flower arrangements and outdoor Christmas displays.
Mrs. Spence was a kind and compassionate friend to all. She was a frequent visitor to the nursing homes as well as to the homes of friends, who were ill or in need of companionship.
Mrs. Spence was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Spence, her sister, Carol Peavey and her brother, Jimmy Peavey. Her surviving relatives include her son Rocky, his wife Julie and their children, Katie and West of Thomasville, GA.; her daughter, Kay, her husband, John and their daughter, Ashton of West Columbia, S.C.; her sister-in-law, Joyce Peavey of Thomasville as well as five nieces and one nephew.
Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, Washington, D.C. 20077-7491 or to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 66, Thomasville, GA 31799.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-7:30PM on Friday. Visitors may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com .
ALLEN & ALLEN FUNERAL HOME