James Roscoe Spence was born on September 7, 1934 to the late Henry and Hattie Gregory Spence. He was educated in Camden County Schools. At an early age he joined Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church and participated in various ministries including church musician like his father.

Many years later he followed Cathy, his babygirl to Corner Stone Missionary Baptist Church. There he became a member of the Historical Society, The

Baptist Men, Trustees, Male Chorus and many more. He served with his whole heart until his health began to fail. Whenever money was needed for the church he was one of the main individuals participating. February 2018, he became Trustee Emeritus at his beloved Corner Stone Missionary Baptist Church.

“JR” went to his eternal rest in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Leon Spence, and sister, Malissa Williams Spence.

Our family called him “Tennie”, though many of you may know him affectionately as “JR”. On April 14, 1963 he married the love of his life, Emma Moore Spence. To this union they had one daughter, Cathy Spence Daniels. He loved “Emma”. There was nothing he would not do for her. If she wanted it, she got it.

“JR” was a father and a daddy for his babygirl. He always bragged on how he would come home and “baby-girl” would not allow anyone to bother him.

He was thankful for his son in-law Michael and enjoyed the opportunity to have another guy to talk to and do guy things with.

He loved his grandboys. He tagged them with the nicknames “King James 2nd and “Captain Joe”. He finally enjoyed having guys since many of his cousins were girls. He was an awesome provider for both ladies and grandchildren.

“JR” completed his secondary education at Elizabeth City State Teachers College (Elizabeth City State Uni-versity) and later North Carolina Central University. He attended North Carolina A&T for additional educa-tional goals along the way.

“JR” began his teaching career in Columbus County and later spent most of his teaching years in Currituck County at Currituck Union Elementary School, Barco, and Griggs Elementary school after the segregation of schools. While working at Currituck schools he coached girls’ basketball. One student said, “he taught me in 5th grade over 55 years ago”. Also, during his tenure in Cur-rituck, he also held administrative duties as the assistant principal.

Later in life “JR” moved from the classroom to administration at Elizabeth City State University where he worked with fundraising. He held the position of Director of Development and later Assistant Vice Chan-cellor of Planning and Development. “JR” was well known across the country when it came to raising funds for the university.

“JR” held many positions in the different organizations he belonged too. He was president and secretary in some, but his main job was handling the money. He was treasurer in many of his organizations. Over the years he was a member of the Hall of Fame (ECSU), ECSU General Alumni, Toast Masters, Epicureans, NCAE, NC Bowling Association and his beloved Omega Psi Phi fraternity, just to name a few. He was initiated into the Delta Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi on April 27, 1973. He was the Keeper of Records for over 20 years and the treasurer for his fraternity.

“JR” leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Emma Moore Spence. His daughter affectionately known as “babygirl” and “kitty”, Cathy Spence Daniels. His son-in-love, Michael Daniels. Grandsons James Michael Daniels, Joseph Jesher Daniels and Noah Daniels-Wilder. Goddaughter, Phyllis Fitchgerald (Jonathan). His brother and friend Elonza C. Joyner. His cousin/sisters Delillian Chamblee and Inez Moore. Two nieces Jackie Spence and Floretta Dundee. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Whether you knew him as “JR” or “Tennie” you knew he was a barrel of fun. He loved God, his family, and people. He would do whatever he could to help mankind. Everyone knew he was the king at cooking. He loved to cook and was good at it. He loved seeing people eat and enjoy. Every now and then he would catch you off guard and say, “Who is a better cook than me?” As you thought hard to find the answer he would tell you “They are still looking for him. They have not found him yet” He would then look at you and bust out laughing.

He loved entertaining and having a good time. He would also let you know that there was no one that could beat him at his favorite games of Gin Rummy, Spades, Bid Whist, and Pinochle.

He loved traveling and was blessed to travel the world.

Another one of his pastimes was bowling. Most of you know he bowled and traveled many years to tourna-ments until he got tired and left it to mom to carry on.

He loved sports. He would say he never missed a CIAA for many years. He traveled city to city to cheer on his beloved ECSU, now the Vikings. In his day they were called the Pirates.

Though there are many passed times he loved we know his biggest was gardening. He would try his hands at anything. He had three gardens at one time. He would go out there every week for a couple days and then on Saturdays to take care of his gardens. Once he got it just right, he then would pick the veggies of his labor and distribute them from house to house before daybreak.

Though we will miss his beautiful smile, his jokes and laughter, his delicious meals, his expertise in the area of accounting, his love for education and just having a good time. He is no longer in pain but at peace. Whatever memory you have of this great man, carry it in your heart forever and be encouraged to be the mentor and leader he was.