Nancy Spence

On September 6, 1933 in Sumter, South Carolina a beautiful flower was born to the parents of Pinkem and Henry Burroughs who preceded her in death. The flower named Nancy Burroughs at birth affectionally known as Honey from childhood.

In 1950 Honey left Sumter for Brooklyn, New York, where she raised all but 1 of her 11 children. While living in Brooklyn, she took on several jobs as a domestic worker. After some time, Honey became trained as a Home Health Care Worker. She remained in that occupation until she finally retired and became a full time foster mother to many children in need. She didn’t have much but she gave her entire family all the love anyone person could give.

Honey resided in New York City for 56 years before she packed up and headed for Florida in 2006. She lived briefly in the Tampa area before settling in the city of Kissimmee. In December of 2010, Honey dedicated her life to JEHOVAH and was baptized as one of JEHOVAH’s Witnesses.

Honey loved soul, reggae and country music. She always found a reason to dance, she enjoyed a good family gathering and she never missed a family reunion. She enjoyed playing the harmonica and took piano lessons for a while. In her later years she became very creative with arts and crafts, she made many floral arrangements; so many that they began to take over every room in her house. If you ever got the chance to visit her, most likely you were leaving with a floral arrangement. She loved her dog Leo, she would feel most comfortable when Leo was tucked underneath her arm while sitting and relaxing in her recliner and watching her favorite tv shows.

Honey had a way of making everyone feel welcomed and loved. If you needed a place to stay, a voice of reason or an ear to listen, she was available. She loved doing word search puzzles and playing free cell on her computer. Honey also loved playing checkers and she was a great spades player. She was a great cook and some would say the best cook in the entire family. She even learned to cook Jamaican food, good enough to fool the whole of Flatbush Brooklyn. Honey found herself an adopted mom to many, she will be missed. She gave love to all and was love by many.

On April 30th 2023, Honey went to sleep at age 89, only 5 months before her 90th birthday.

Honey was survived by her spouse Derman Spence, she was preceded in death by five siblings: Brothers - Frankie, Willie and Nathan… Sisters - Vera (Irma), Rosemary (Rose). She has four surviving siblings: Brothers - Carnell (Marvin) and Arthur… Sisters - Lena and Fannie. She is also survived by her best friend for over 60 years Joyce, Chaffin. Honey had eleven children, two who preceded her in death, Ann Shaw and Joseph Riddick. Surviving children are Robert Butler (daughter in law Debra Butler), Debra Waldon (son in law Lester Waldon), Patrica Mitchell, Sharon Riddick, Nancy Tate,

Kevin Riddick (daughter in law Victoria Riddick), Yvette Riddick ( Pinky), Rodney Riddick and Sierra Harrell Spence. She had 30 grandchildren, 57 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren with one on the way. She is preceded in death by 2 beloved dogs, Teenie and Bubbles… She is also survived by her partner, pet and buddy Leo.

Nancy Honey Spence was the Matriarch of our entire family.