Spencer S. Jeffries

Spencer Sean Jeffries, 39, died Nov. 26, 2017 at Liberty House. His parents, Phil and Irene, and “second mom”, Sharon, were at his bedside. He and his twin brother, Stuart, were born Nov. 17, 1978 and spent the first 8 weeks of life in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Spencer had severe developmental disabilities and faced many challenges throughout his life. Early intervention provided by therapists and teachers at the Crippled Children’s Nursery School, the Cerebral Palsy Preschool, and Maple Valley State School helped him overcome many of the obstacles placed on his life’s path. Although he could get around with a walker, his preferred method of locomotion was crawling and he enjoyed sneaking into the refrigerator, visiting neighbors unannounced, playing in the water, and other sorts of mischief. Spencer was non-verbal and deaf, but he made his wants known with a limited number of signs with “eat” and “drink” being his favorites. At age 19, he moved to Liberty House, a Concerned Care (now Life Unlimited) group home in Liberty. There he met his second mom, Sharon, and seven other consumers who became his housemates. After graduating from Maple Valley State School, Spencer attended the day program at Triality (now Easter Seals Midwest) for 17 years. In Feb. 2017, Spencer became ill with pneumonia and eventually entered into the care of Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care while still living at Liberty House. His mischievous smile will be missed by many.

Survivors include his parents, brothers Nathan (Rachel) and Stuart, nephew Finn, grandmothers Rita Tombari and Joan Jeffries, and many other family members and friends.

A celebration of life and open house will be held at Liberty House (1525 S. Birmingham Rd, Liberty) on December 12 from 4-7 PM. Condolences can be left at www.mcgilleyantiochchapel.com.