Larry Spencer

Larry Spencer died at age 76, having lived a life that would’ve sent a lesser man to his grave decades earlier. He told his last joke, which cannot be printed here, on March 22, 2021. His sudden and untimely death came as quite a shock as he was only diagnosed with advanced COPD, advanced emphysema, advanced heart disease, four heart attacks, a massive stroke, arthritis, extreme stubbornness, and an immeasurable hatred for doctors.

Larry is survived by his wife, Betty, his daughter, Olivia, who was the light of his life, and a grandson to carry on his name, Spencer, all of whom he loved more than anything in this world... except kittens, gin, cigarettes, and fast cars (in that exact order).

Larry grew up on a farm in Soso, Mississippi. Never heard of it? Neither have we. He graduated from Jones County High School as valedictorian (but we are unsure if that is saying much as we have visited Jones County). He studied at Ole Miss, but never was a Rebels fan, although he himself was a true rebel at heart. Are you old enough to remember Saturday school at Ole Miss? You must if you are reading this. Only old people read these things. Larry’s incessant complaints ended the injustice of Saturday school. Emboldened, he pursued a career of making others bend to his logic and became a lawyer. He graduated magna cum laude from Jackson School of Law (now, Mississippi College School of Law), while working multiple jobs. His employment history was standard: bread truck driver, florist, ambulance/hearse driver (same vehicle but its title differed depending on what the circumstances required).

Upon entering the legal community in Jackson, Larry promptly joined forces with Robert W. King, forming “King & Spencer.” The fierce duo practiced law together for many years with never a cross word between the two. Larry was a true scholar, who loved to write. He was a good lawyer and well respected for his intellect and ability.

Larry took fashion cues from no one. He had two looks: lawyer or homeless. In his latter years, he streamlined into one look. You can guess which one. His signature “every day wear” was Levi’s jeans and a t-shirt with dress shoes (an overstatement) that were no longer serviceable for the courtroom. To further simplify things, Larry also streamlined his diet, only preferring Cock of the Walk fried catfish with a pot o’ greens.

Feeling as though he had sufficiently bested his opponents in the courtroom for 43 years, Larry took to a simpler life. He excelled at maintaining a vast vegetable garden and orchard, eradicating any pests that should endanger his gardening endeavors, collecting car parts (whether he owned the car or not), and living within his means. He enjoyed his retirement on his tractor. When not on his beloved tractor, he could be found forwarding tasteless internet jokes (check your spam folder, but do not open at work!).

Larry has left behind an inordinate amount of stuff for his wife and daughter, who have no idea what to do with it. “Quality items” range from car mufflers to air fryers to the approximately 2,784 power tools that the women have no earthly clue what they are used for. Please wait the appropriate amount of time and get in touch. Tomorrow would be fine.

In lieu of flowers, Larry simply asked that you attend his funeral for one last goodbye. A private burial will be held for the family on March 29, 2021 at 2 p.m. A public memorial will be held and announced after the pandemic.