Helen Spence

Mrs. Helen Payne Spence, age 89, of Boca Raton , FL and Nashville, TN passed away on October 10, 2015, one day shy of her 69th wedding anniversary. Helen was the daughter of the late Hardy Clay Payne and the late Leomer Richmond of Hartsville, TN. Helen was born on January 18, 1926 in Hartsville. She attended schools in Hartsville and was voted the "most popular girl" while in high school. After high school, Helen attended Peabody College. In 1946, Helen met her husband, Jack Spence, shortly after he returned from World War II at the Cedars of Lebanon State Park. They married on October 11, 1946. From that union, they had one son, Michael Payne Spence. Helen worked beside her husband in the hotel and motel business. As partner of "Spence Motels", she and her husband owned and managed over twenty motels and hotels through the years. Mrs. Spence's pride and joy was The Spence Manor. At the time of the award, The Spence Manor was the only hotel in Tennessee to be rated a "five Star" hotel and first only full suite hotel. After retirement, Helen and her husband, Jack moved to Boca Raton. In addition to her duties in the motel business, Helen was active in several garden clubs. She volunteered at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and was an active volunteer at Cheekwood. Helen taught a Sunday school class at Woodmont Baptist Church, where she and her husband were active members for many years. Helen was noted for her love of flowers, her skills at decorating, and her musical talents. She was an accomplished pianist. Her family and friends will remember Helen for her ready wit, her smile, and her beauty. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Hardy and Leomer Payne and a grandson, John Childress "Trey" Spence III., close friends Ed Laure, Charlie Frank, Billy Green, Dr. Maurice Bull, Rev. Carl Resner, and Marshall Summers She is survived by her husband, John Childress "Jack" Spence, Jr.; her son Michael Payne Spence; grandson Michael Payne Spence, Jr. and Michael's wife, Laura Spence; granddaughter Nancy Spence McCormick, great-granddaughter Emme Spence Catlett; great - granddaughter Weatherly Spence; step great-granddaughter Carly Bower as well as several beloved nephews and nieces. Active pallbearers will be Michael Payne Spence, Jr., Nancy Spence McCormick, Spence Oliver, Richard Oliver, John Oliver, James Hudspeth. Honorary pallbearers will be Claude Blankenship, Dr. Les Traughber, Wilbur Sensing, Bobby Frank,and John McGillicuddy. Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Monday, October 12, 2015 with visitation from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM before the service with burial in Williamson Memorial Gardens with Dr. Bill Sherman officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital or Amedisys Hospice Care. Services being provided by WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 615-794-2289. www.williamsonmemorial.com

Visitation Details

Monday, October 12th, 2015 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home

Service Information

Monday, October 12th, 2015 3:00pm, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home