Charlie Ernest Spencer

It isn’t often that a person comes around who can help guide others along their way. However, Charlie Ernest Spencer was one of those rare individuals. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, and decisive man, Charlie’s compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing his charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. He was warmhearted, gentle, and organized in all the things he sought to accomplish. He was a mentor, a natural teacher who was capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around him. He managed to do all of this and keep a general focus on harmony and peace.

Charlie came into the world on February 1, 1944. He first greeted the world from his home in Buckingham, Virginia. His parents' names were John and Myrtle Spencer. His father worked hard and had little money but would bring Popsicles home, which was a real treat. His mother had to wash clothes on a washboard. He grew up in Buckingham County, Virginia. When he was young, Charlie's friends and family found that "straightforward" and "honest" were perfect words to describe him. Even as a child, Charlie demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, an ability to be very perceptive and a disposition that was easy and enjoyable for those around him. These early years were a time which allowed him to learn and grow and to experience many new things. When Charlie was young, the children had to gather their water from a nearby spring. One day he and his brother went to get water for their mother and Charlie fell in head first. His mother had to get him out but his was not hurt. They also loved to play music and he enjoyed jam sessions.

Charlie was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served him well in bringing a sense of harmony, understanding and peace to the family. He was raised with nine siblings. Charlie had five brothers, Junior, Wilbur, J. T., Doug and Jimmy and four sisters, Daisey, Edna, Lois and Louise. As with many families, they fought like children do, but they loved each other. They played music and sat around the radio together. As children they didn't have many toys, so Charlie was cutting sticks one day with a hatchet and his sister Louise wanted him to cut her stick. She held it out for him to cut and he cut her finger so bad she had to have stitches but she was okay. Charlie was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with his family. His simple, clear-cut approaches to most things were usually welcomed as he helped out with any number of activities. Charlie carried these traits into his adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found him a pleasure and a delight to be around. Charlie was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those he knew. Charlie's maternal grandparents were Samuel B. Gunter and Rosa R. Gunter and his paternal grandparents were Robert W. Spencer and Minnie B. Spencer. Charlie's extended family included Hughie Kitchen and cousin Vernell. Hughie's family lived nearby and his family would hook a red wagon to a bike and bring Hugie to Charlie's house to stay all day.

As a young boy, Charlie was imaginative, ingenious, clever, and a novel thinker. Regardless of whether his peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, Charlie could easily relate to other children. Going to school was a large part of those early years. He attended Buckingham Elementary School. Some of Charlie's biggest accomplishments during this time included teaching himself to play the guitar and sing.

Both in and out of school, he enjoyed spending time with his friends, and always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. His friends found him easy to know and get along with because of his talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in his dealings with others. Some of his best friends included Hugh Kitchen. Growing up, he enjoyed playing sports such as softball on Sunday evening with neighbors. Charlie had several hobbies while growing up that included he taught himself to play guitar and his brothers played also. Playing games was always a favorite pastime for Charlie and he most liked playing softball.

The home where a child grows up can be of great influence. They lived in a small house in the country. They were poor but they had love! From an early age, he enjoyed animals, especially his dogs Jack and Music. However, to Charlie, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending good times with his many friends.

During his high school years, Charlie had a natural flair for constantly offering his support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which he participated. He graduated from Buckingham High School. He did well in school and enjoyed telling stories in a way that naturally drew people to him. Charlie was often found to be the person facilitating a group activity, or frequently filling the role of being the life of the party. Teachers and classmates knew his as an excellent listener. He placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped that was waiting for him right around the corner.

Charlie’s natural abilities to encourage others extended outside of school as well. Charlie was involved in the FFA and FBLA.

For Charlie these teen years were not just about academics. There were many other areas that interested him as well. Friendships played a big part during these years. He would always seek to learn what his friends enjoyed and he would go out of his way to make sure that their needs were met. He was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, he sometimes felt ill at ease when he was the one on the receiving end. Throughout his life, he had many friends. When Charlie and his friends got together, they would riding around and hanging out with friends.

As in just about every aspect of his life, Charlie was always aware of his responsibilities.

When Charlie became involved in a relationship, he put everything into it. Helen Faye Spencer learned this firsthand. Charlie met Helen in a hospital where his father was sick.

Charlie exchanged vows with Helen on June 18th, 1965. The service was officiated by Reverend E.C. Wood. Charlie and Helen were married at Sandy Bottom Christian Church with only a few witnesses, Edna Reynolds, Katherine Carey, Helen Alderman and Arvin "Slim" Reynolds. After the wedding, they went home and ate Wise chips and drank Pepsi.

No trips, they just went to their new home together.

Compassionate and devoted, Charlie worked hard to make his new family happy. He was always generous with his time and this meant that Helen came first in Charlie’s book. He was always caring and made certain that he considered Helen’s feelings. By trusting his emotions, Charlie did his best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Charlie was truly a person of empathy. As part of this, the couple tried their best to surround themselves with a good and loyal group of friends. Some of their best friends included Nancy and Wall Regan, Martha and Perry Exum, Curly and Lou Garner and Nancy and Robert Mills. Going on beach vacations or having cookouts and any opportunity to fellowship with friends. Together, Charlie and Helen welcomed pets into their home, especially Preacherman a dog and Sapsucker a coon dog. Charlie really enjoyed deer and coon hunting with his dogs.

During the early years of their marriage, Charlie and Helen lived rather modestly. Their first residence was a one bedroom apartment. Charlie and Helen built their first house together with their own hands. They moved into their new home in less than three months.

Throughout his life, Charlie was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, he was known to his peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called upon, he was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting his own needs aside. His involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit of his involvement was an ability to bring valued principles along with him. Charlie's main involvement was Church. Charlie was well known to others for his ability to naturally and conscientiously move into action to help others, a quality that placed him as an active contributor to many community activities. Charismatic by nature, he was always viewed by others as someone who built bridges, connected to people, and upheld his personal values.

Charlie’s qualities of being a caring and tolerant person translated to being a good father to his children. He was blessed with one daughter, Kimberly Sue. Charlie and Kim would watch cartoons and wrestling together on Saturday's. They also enjoyed riding around town. Perhaps it was because he was so caring, but Charlie would often find himself filled with happiness when his daughter accomplished something. Charlie did a good job of raising his child in a nurturing environment. Their house was a small cottage.

Charlie shared his love of pets with his daughter and this brought into the home Misty, a dog and Beau a cocker spaniel. Misty was a wonderful pet and Charlie's favorite hunting dog. Beau was his only house pet and was spoiled rotten.

He also tried to show his children new and interesting places through their travels and vacations. They went camping at the beach or just going to the beach. They also enjoyed visiting family in Galax and going to the fiddlers convention.

He was also blessed with two very special God children, Hayden and Kaylee. He related well to children of all ages and was able to connect with them on their level.

Charlie experienced success in his work life over and over again. Charlie worked as a master carpenter and superintendent of construction. Generally speaking, though, his primary occupation could be described as serving as Pastor of Eastbrook Baptist Church. Probably the most unique or interesting job Charlie ever held was the years he served as a Pastor. In addition to being Pastor of Eastbrook, Charlie was a master carpenter and superintendent for C. L. Lewis Construction Company.

He always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was known by his colleagues as a good team player. He was one to take the initiative and his skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. He took pride in managing his professional responsibilities and always seemed to know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. The most important mission Charlie had was leading souls to Christ, he received a doctor of divinity degree. Charlie took a trip to Israel.

Charlie made a number of friends throughout his career, including Wilt Wilson, Milton Layne and Daniel Dixon. Charlie had quite a sense of humor, he always liked to tease his friends or tell jokes. He loved to keep something going on somebody. He continually sought to learn what his co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled him to help them develop their own potential.

Because he was organized and methodical, Charlie took great pleasure in his various hobbies, especially hunting, fishing, gardening, racing Nascar and playing guitar. Charlie had a number of favorite things in his life. Charlie loved summertime so he could plant his vegetable garden and loved winter so he could hunt.

When it came to mealtime, Charlie's favorites included pinto beans, country ham, biscuits, bacon, sausage and eggs. For reading, he enjoyed any hunting magazine, Nascar or religious books. Charlie loved watching Nascar after church on Sunday. News programs including Bill O'Reilly were some of his favorite programs to watch on television. He loved Gospel, Bluegrass and Country music.

Charlie enjoyed sports. Because he was so instinctive and could always grasp the bigger picture, he delighted in the strategy and inner workings of competition. He also enjoyed watching his favorite teams and events whenever he got the opportunity. He loved Yankees baseball and Nascar racing.

Charlie’s faith was important to him. Charlie was a strong Christian and Baptist Pastor. When he wasn't preaching, he sang with at church functions and taught Sunday School. He was compassionate and warmhearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in his work with the congregation.

Charlie was active in the community and felt fulfilled. He was a die hard Republican and voted in every election.

Charlie Spencer left us on March 31, 2011. He passed away at his home in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was 67 years old. The cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He was preceded in death by his father, mother, four brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife Helen and daughter Kim. Services were handled by Whitten Funeral Home on Timberlake Road in Lynchburg. Charlie was laid to rest at Fort Hill Memorial Park in Lynchburg.

Throughout his life, Charlie was a gregarious and enthusiastic man. He was generous in sharing his personal attributes, giving and helping those he knew and loved. He would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. He was imaginative, original, tenderhearted and easy to get along with. Charlie leaves behind a legacy of lifelong friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives he touched will dearly remember Charlie Ernest Spencer with fondness.

The Rev. Charlie Ernest Spencer, 67, Pastor of Eastbrook Baptist Church was called home to be with God on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at his residence after a long illness. He was the loving and adored husband of Helen Spencer for 44 years.

Born in Buckingham County, February 1, 1944, he was a son of the late John William Spencer and Myrtle Gunter Spencer. On October 19, 1969, Charlie accepted the Lord as his savior. He was soon after this called to preach. He pastored Eastbrook Baptist Church for 30 years, served the Lord with great devotion, and stored up many rewards in heaven. He is with his Lord today in his new body and breathing with his new lungs. There is a celebration going on in heaven today with all his loved ones gone on before.

Charlie was also a construction superintendant for C.L. Lewis and various other companies until his health would no longer allow him to work. He was well known, liked, and respected and never met a stranger. He loved people and never passed up an opportunity to lead another soul to the Lord. He also loved to deer hunt but would always make it back to be with his family by suppertime. Charlie loved to sing and play his guitar, which was one more testimony for the Lord and he was the best father a girl could have.

In additon to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Kimberly S. Spencer; three sisters, Edna S. Reynolds, Daisey S. Saunders and Louise S. Sensbaugh and her husband James; one brother, James D. Spencer and his wife Linda; his mother in law, Helen A. Alderman; a lifelong friend, Hugh Kitchen and a number of nieces and nephews. He also leaves many family and friends behind that he will be waiting for in heaven.

One sister, Lois Spencer Read and three brothers, Wilbur M. Spencer, John T. Spencer and William D. Spencer preceded him in death.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2011 at Eastbrook Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Kinsey and the Rev. Dr., David Critcher officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

A graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2011 at Fort Hill Memorial Park.

The family requests those wishing to make memorial contributions to consider Eastbrook Baptist Church, 3050 Eastbrook Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501 or Centra Hospice, 3300 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503.

The family would like to thank the great staff of Centra Hospice, especially Alice Powell and Carla.