Harold Herman Spence

Rev. Harold Herman Spence, age 94, of Searcy, passed away Monday, July 29, 2013. He was born September 20, 1918 in Cushman, Arkansas to the late Albert Herman Spence and Lottie Masters Spence. Rev. Spence served full time as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church in Arkansas for over 40 years. In retirement, he served for an additional 10 years in the Searcy area and as Pastor Emeritus of the First United Methodist Church in Searcy. Rev. Spence was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Delanie Ann Spence for 57 years and Marge Stark for eight years; brother, Jesse James Spence and a sister, Alberta Carter. He is survived by five children: Rita Kay Cates of Bentonville; Janice Spence Chism of Avilla; Judith Ann Dubbell of Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands; Harold Keith Spence of Little Rock and Rev. Dennis Wayne Spence of Monticello; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Grandchildren will be serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 31 at Ashby Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 1 at Salem United Methodist Church in Benton with a 2:30 p.m. graveside service at Bald Knob Cemetery in Bald Knob. Rev. Carlton Cross and Rev. Dennis Spence will be officiating. Memorials may be given to Salem United Methodist Church of Benton Memorial Fund or to the First United Methodist Church of Monticello Building Fund. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.