Fallen Hero: SMgt(Ret) Larry Joe Spencer

Meridian

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Funeral Home

Robert Barham Family Funeral Home

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Obituary

Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard.  “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on December 24, 2022, and has moved on to his heavenly home.  MSgt(Ret) Larry Joe Spencer, age 83 , a retired member of the MS Air National Guard, who had served within 238th CCS, Meridian as Airfield Safety NCO, retiring in 1986 has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.  He had also served in the U.S. Navy during 1958-74 and prior to that with the ALARNG during 1957-58.  He was deployed while in the Navy in support of the Cuban Missile Crisis.  MSgt Larry Joe Spencer is CSM(Ret) David Spencer’s dad.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Airman. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

“Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten””

Obituary, visitation, and service details:  

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mr. Larry Spencer will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home, with the Reverend Dr. Richard Wallace officiating. Interment rites with military honors will immediately follow at Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Spencer, age 83, of Meridian passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 23, 2022.

Larry was born on September 9, 1939 to Sidney Cego and Bertha Ruth Davis Spencer in Samantha, Alabama. He graduated in 1957 from Tuscaloosa High School. While in high school, he completed the necessary training needed to enlist in the Army National Guard and joined as soon as he graduated. On June 17, 1959, Mr. Spencer married the love of his life, Mary Ann Upchurch and to their union were added three children. After marrying Mary Ann, Larry enlisted in the United States Navy. Larry was a proud veteran who honorably served his country for a total of 26 years in the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force. Larry enjoyed being with his family (especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren) and was an avid reader. He was a devout Christian and member of Hebron Baptist Church. Before retiring, Larry was a natural salesman who always strove to provide for his family.

Survivors include his children, David A. Spencer (Kathy), JoAnn Spencer Roberts (Derek), and Kim Spencer Johnson (Wade); grandchildren, Alexsis Yeako, Susan Cugno, Deanna Roberts, Matt Roberts, Jered Johnson, Dr. Kristen Roberts, M.D., Josh Johnson, and Noah Johnson; great-grandchildren, Skyy Cugno, Zoey Yeako, Kira Cugno, Missy Cugno, Emily Cugno, Mary Lawrence Johnson, Aaron Roberts, and two on the way; brother, Sidney A. Spencer (Deanna); and numerous other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Upchurch Spencer; his parents; and one brother, Bobby Dale Spencer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Spencer be made to Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery Fund at 4795 Vimville Causeyville Road, Meridian, Mississippi 39301 and/or to Forever Young Veterans at https://foreveryoungvets.org/give/.

Pallbearers will be Matt Roberts, Jered Johnson, Josh Johnson, Noah Johnson, Tyler Walker, and Ben Goudy. Honorary Pallbearers will be Erik Strauss, James Willis, Robert Willis, and Anthony Jay Sieber.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Lillian Campbell and the staff of Home Instead Hospice.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.robertbarhamffh.com.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.