Rudolph Spence

Rudolph Fred Spence was born September 26, 1923 in Camden, N.C. toe the late Charlie Spence and Armelia Bartlett Spence. Rudolph was the second child to this union and was preceded in death by one sister, Clelia Jane Spence. Rudolph received his early education in the public schools of Camden County, North Carolina and completed his education in the Baltimore City Public School System where he received his high school diploma. Rudolph was employed at Dukeland Meat Packing Company as supervisor for twenty-five years until he retired in 1973. However, he was an entrepreneur of many businesses. To name a few, he had a service station, auto repair garage, and a trucking business. His last endeavors were contracting real estate and construction in moving and hauling until the day of the onset of his illness. Rudolph received Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and became a member of New Shiloh Baptist Church in Camden, North Carolina. He later joined St. Paul Community Baptist Church where he was a faithful member until his illness prevented him from being able to attend. Rudolph was an encourager of young people. He was positive person who set goals and promoted entrepreneurship to his family and friends. There was a standing joke among his grandchildren. Whenever there was a special occasion of any kind, wedding, cookout, graduation, etc., everyone knew that if you couldn’t count on any one else, Rudolph Would “show up.” He was blessed with many friends and will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him. On Friday, August 2, 2002 after a six-month illness, God called him from labor to reward. Those who shared the joys of life with him and survive to cherish his most precious memory are: his devoted wife, Gloria Jean Dean Spence; one son, Reverend Wendell (Deborah) Spence of Baltimore; three daughters, Paula (Marvin) Prioleau, Audrey (Charles) Ellis, both of Baltimore, and Merle (Johnnie) Wilson of Chesapeake, VA; one father-in-law, William Richard Dean of Frisco City, Alabama; one son-in-law, Jerome Jones of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Edith (Thurman) Lamb and Delilian (Howard) Chamblee both of Camden, N.C.; one brother, William (Gloria) Spence of Charlotte, N.C.; three stepsons, Chris Dean, Dwayne Dean, and Sabin Dean all of Baltimore, MD.; goddaughter, Tajauna Munerlyn of Jonesboro, Georgia; godson, Willie Spence, Jr.; four sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law; one devoted friend, George Singleton; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. One daughter preceded him in death, Lorraine Jones.

Tributes

Rudolph Spence

September 26, 1923 - August 2, 2002