Mary Jo (Childs) Spencer

Mary Spencer entered into her heavenly rest on September 13, 2023, at the age of 92 at her home in New Braunfels, TX.

Mary was born April 5, 1931 in Wills Point, TX to Jacob and Lizzie Childs. She moved to Houston in the late 1950’s. She was very active in her church and choir families throughout her life, and loved to sing and play the piano. She was also a long-time bookkeeper for Houston Saw & Knife.

Mary met Joe while he was a Houston firefighter in 1973, and they were “work neighbors”. Mary worked next door to Fire Station 24, and she would come over and buy a Coke from their vending machine. One day she was told she needed to meet the new captain, Joe Spencer. Two years later, on their first date, Mary introduced Joe to his first pizza.

They married May 15, 1981, and lived and worked in Houston for the next 12 years. Their retirement dreams came true on September 24, 1993, when they moved into the home they built in New Braunfels. Joe and Mary were welcomed into the New Braunfels community, and have made many lifelong friends here. Being an animal lover, Mary enjoyed feeding the deer on their land, and caring for any cat or kitten that came across her path.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Christine Childs Horn, nephews Leo Horn and Stanley Horn, mother-in-law Marie A. Spencer, sister- and brother-in-law Wynona and Dan Banks, and life-long friend Gladys Speyer.

Mary is survived by her husband of 42 years, Joe E. Spencer; daughter Robin M. Anderson and granddaughter, the light of her life, Victoria M. Anderson of Spring, TX; son Joseph J. Spencer of Houston; niece Laura Arldt and husband James of Austin; niece Jennifer Lee and husband Tim and daughters Abby and Elizabeth of Bastrop; and niece Carol Horn of California. She is also survived by many friends at Coiffures De Ville Salon and East Side Baptist Church.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Janice Kirchmeier, Barbara Bird, and Delaina Andrews for their love and support. We also thank the staff at Hill Country Medical, Dr. Randal Jacks, Eden Hill Communities, and the staff of Resolute Baptist Hospital and Hope Hospice.

Visitation with family will be from 12:00-2:00pm on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Zoeller Funeral Home in New Braunfels, with funeral service following at 2:00pm at Zoeller. Burial will take place on Monday, Sept. 25 at 10:00am at Rosewood Cemetery in Humble, TX.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Hospice of New Braunfels.

Arrangements through Zoeller Funeral Home, New Braunfels, TX.