Verna Belle Spencer

VERNA BELLE SPENCER, 87, of 602 Hudson St., Ithaca, NY went home to her Lord on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at Oak Hill Manor Nursing Home, Ithaca, NY. Mrs. Spencer was born June 18th, 1920 at Kermoar Township, PA a daughter of the late Albert and Alice Williams Young. She was graduated from Lock Haven High School and Practical Bible Training School, now known as Davis College. At Bible school she met Rev. Vern E. Spencer and the couple were married June 3rd, 1942 at Breesport, NY. For more than sixty years she and Vern served churches in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. After retiring from the pastorate in Connecticut they returned to New York and served together in Baptist Churches in Dryden, Auburn, West Danby, Breesport and Brooktondale. She was a member of the Brooktondale Baptist Church. Verna Belle was a teacher for 30 years and was named Teacher of the Year in Newtown, CT. Verna Belle was active in the music ministry and women’s counseling in many of the churches they served and often spoke at women’s conferences.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Rev. Vern E. Spencer of Ithaca, her son, Rev. Dean (Linda) Spencer of Dryden and her daughter, Susan Lee (Rev. Guy) Stockslager of Brookneal, VA; grandchildren, Sandi Stockslager, Matthew (Joelle) Spencer, Mark (Brianne) Spencer, Adam (Joanna) Spencer; great-grandchildren, Cassidy, Jordan and Samuel Spencer; nieces and nephews. Mrs Spencer was predeceased her brothers, Dr. Howard and Rev. John Young; her sisters, Leona O’Donnell, Iva Lenore Marks and Vesta Young.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 PM Monday, August 6th, 2007 at the Brooktondale Baptist Church with Rev. Richard Lloyd officiating. Burial will follow in West Danby Cemetery. Friends are invited to call from 12 to 2 PM Monday at the Church, Slaterville Road, Brooktondale. Those wishing to remember Mrs. Spencer are asked to consider a memorial gift in her name to the Brooktondale Baptist Church, P.O. Box 144, Brooktondale, NY 14817.