Clara M. Spence

Mrs. Clara M. Spence, 89, 2001 South Lee Street, formerly of 725 Pine Avenue, Americus, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, December 16, 2008, at Magnolia Manor of Columbus Nursing Center, West. Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, in Sunset Memorial Gardens with Rev. Hugh DeLoach officiating. Rev. Dan Ariail will provide vocal music. Members of the Kathleen Gardner Sunday School class are requested to serve as honorary pallbearers. Born September 2, 1919, in Good Hope, Georgia, Mrs. Spence was a daughter of the late Arthur Hegwood and Florence Waters Hegwood. She was a long-time employee of Manhattan Shirt Factory. She was a member of Central Baptist Church and the Kathleen Gardner Sunday School class of the church. As long as her health permitted, she was an active member of the Silvertones and the Womens’ Missionary Union of the church. The family will receive friends at Hancock Funeral Home from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19. In lieu of flowers, family members suggest that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Survivors include a son and daughter –in-law, O. Wayne Spence and Stephanie Epting Spence of Ellerslie; a sister, Eula Clemons of Ellaville; a brother, Herman Hegwood of Monroe; and grandchildren Stephanie and Lance Christenson, Kyle Spence, Matt and McKenney Spence, and Slade Richard, all of Columbus. Her husband, Vester O. Spence, preceded her in death on July 7, 1999. Hancock Funeral Home, 427 South Lee Street, Americus, GA, is in charge of arrangements.