Earl Wesley Spencer

Earl Wesley Spencer, 93, peacefully passed to his eternal rest on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2015 at The Crossing at Clarity Hospice in Baton Rouge. "Wes" was born in Lake Charles, La. He was an original member of First United Methodist Church's Cradle Club, where he was a life-long member. He graduated from Lake Charles High School and received his Associate Degree from John McNeese Junior College. Wes then attended one year at Louisiana State University before being drafted to serve his country in the Army during World War II. Wes often noted that his military service was an important turning point in his then young life. Upon his return to Lake Charles, he worked at his father's Ace High Men's Clothing Store until 1961 when he became an agent for the Equitable Life Assurance Society. Wes worked for Equitable for 43 years. He was a 32nd Degree Brother of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, member of The American Legion, member of the Kiwanis of the Oaks in Baton Rouge and had a joint membership at First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge. He met his cherished bride of 60 years, Sarah Jo Gibbs, at a Methodist function. They were married by her father three months later. The couple garnered an ever-widening group of lifelong friends and relations who celebrated life with them through countless parties, crawfish boils, bridge matches, and joint family outings. Wes and Sarah were blessed with four daughters: Sarah Ann "Sally" Davidson and husband, James of Baton Rouge; Virginia "Jenny" McDaniel and husband, John of Bethel Heights Ark., Patricia "Patty" Glenn and husband, Bryan of Baton Rouge; and Jo Lynn Solomon and husband, David of Rogers Ark. There are 13 grandchildren: Sarah Rye of Austin, Texas, James Davidson of Denham Springs, La., Sarah Cochran of St. Louis, John McDaniel of Evans, Ga., Clara McDaniel of Fayetteville, Ark., Stacey Bridges of Denham Springs, Bryan P Glenn of Baltimore, Danielle Gautreaux of Burnside, La., Richard Solomon of Rogers, Erin Foerster of Elm Springs, Ark., David Solomon of Los Angeles, Andrew Solomon of Ft. Bragg, N.C., and Emily Solomon of Rogers with 14 great-grandchildren. Wes was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Wesley and Annie Erle Allen Spencer; his wife, Sarah; and great-granddaughter, Corey Noel Gautreaux. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 20, in Baton Rouge at the First United Methodist Church. Reverend Brady Whitton will officiate. Full military honor graveside services will be held at Prien/Highland Memorial Park in Lake Charles under the direction of Rabenhorst Funeral Home. Serviceman are encourage to wear military dress uniforms. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst on Government Street, Baton Rouge on Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Tuesday at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Pallbearers for the service will be James Davidson, Jr., Tim Rye, Robert Bridges, Evan Gautreaux, David Solomon, and Kyle Foerster. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bryan P Glenn, Andrew Solomon, John Spencer McDaniel, and Andy Cochran. Donations in remembrance of Wes may be made to Alzheimer Services of the Capital Area, www.alzbr.com or the Kiwanis Eliminate Project, https://secure.qgiv.com/for/kifeli2/.