J. R. "Joe" Spence, Jr., age 84, of Sugar Hill, GA passed away on Friday, July 11, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife of forty-one years, Mrs. Bill Brogdon Spence; parents Russ and Mattie Spence; and sister Lounell Spence. He is survived by his son, Rev. Mark and Carla Spence, Pendergrass, GA; dear beloved friend of thirteen and one-half years, Lois Alverson, Buford, GA; stepdaughter Suzanne Fox Beard, Flowery Branch, GA; grandchildren Christi Spence, Pendergrass, GA, Russell Spence, Pendergrass, GA, Brad Beard, OH, Melanie Beard Reed, Buford, GA, Tiffany Beard, and Jere Beard; several great grandchildren; sister Annie Kate Brogdon Allgood, Buford, GA; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Spence was born October 7, 1929 in Cumming, GA. He was a 1947 graduate of Sugar Hill School. He was retired from Curtin Matheson Scientific after twenty years of service. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Buford where he was also a member of Joe Avery's Sunday School class, Abundant Life Fellowship, and the Silvertones Choir. He was a Woodmen of the World member and also an avid Braves fan. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Buford, 4550 Hamilton Mill Road, Buford, GA 30518 with Rev. Wayne Johnson and Rev. Mark Spence officiating. Interment will follow at Sugar Hill Cemetery, Sugar Hill, GA. Joe Avery's Sunday School class will serve as honorary escort. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, July 13, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA, 770-932-1133.
