Valley Times-News, The (Lanett, AL) - Friday, July 14, 2000
WEST POINT --Miss Dorothy Virginia Spence, 99, of West Point died Wednesday, July 12, 2000 at her residence.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 15 at First Baptist Church of West Point featuring music, poetry, scripture and celebrating memories of her long and exemplary life. Visitation will follow in the church sanctuary.
Miss Spence is survived by two nieces, Mrs. Ruth Spence Wingate (Mrs. Donald J.P Downs of West Point, and Mrs. Luanne Spence (Mrs. Benjamin G.) Taylor of San Antonio, Texas; three nephews, Mr. William R. Wingate of Camilla, Ga., and Mr. William Spence and Mr. Craig H. Spence, both of San Antonio; 18 great-nieces and nephews, including Dr. Joseph R. Downs III and Dr. Margaret Downs Schaufler of West Point, Judge Doris L. Downs of Atlanta, Ga., and Mr. J. Wingate Downs of Arnoldsville, Ga.
Miss Spence had lived in West Point for 17 years with her niece and nephew, Ruth Spence Wingate and Donald J. Downs. She was educated as a school teacher at Shorter College and Peabody College, now part of Vanderbilt University. Miss Spence's brief school teaching experience in rural schools in Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma convinced her that her talents lay in the direction of professional library work. She graduated from the Library School of the University of Illinois in 1931 and enjoyed a lengthy career as a librarian.
As State Supervisor of WPA Library Service, Miss Spence initiated and promoted the establishment of the first regional library in Georgia, Athens Regional Library. From that beginning grew the pattern of public library service organization throughout the state resulting in the establishment of 28 regional or multi-county libraries.
Miss Spence was director of Southwest Georgia Regional Library, Bainbridge, Ga. 1950-71; Assistant State Supervisor of Public Libraries, Albany, Ga. 1944-50; State and District Supervisor, WPA Library Program, Atlanta, 1936-43.
Always an avid reader, Miss Spence especially enjoyed discussing books, visiting and corresponding with many friends and family members, listening to classical music, playing bridge, walking, participating in the discussion of current and political events, and traveling extensively all over the world.
"We were a political family," Miss Spence often said. Her father was elected a circuit Judge in Southwest Georgia before serving as a U.S. Attorney for the Territory of Alaska. Miss Spence was born Dec. 20, 1900 and spent her early years in Camilla, Ga. in the historic Gardner Home built by her father, Judge Spence. Her family returned from Alaska and resided at 425 Society Avenue, Albany, Ga., which served as a permanent address for Miss Spence as she traveled the state and while she worked in Bainbridge.
Miss Spence was a member of First Baptist Church of West Point and was active throughout much of her life in church and civic affairs. She described herself proudly as a "crusading liberal," especially for civil rights, children's and women's causes, and the environment.
She was the daughter of the late Judge William Napoleon Spence and Annie Rogers Curry Spence of Albany, Ga. Miss Spence was preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers, Misses Susie and Emily Toy Spence of Albany, Ga., Mrs. Ruth Spence (Mrs. H.L.) Wingate of Pelham, Ga., Mr. Henry Turner Spence of Albany, Ga., Brig. Gen. William Spence of San Antonio, Texas, and Mr. Sam Bennett Spence of Wichita Falls, Texas; and two nephews, Lt. James Cochran Wingate of Pelham, Ga., and Mr. Harry Lynnwood Wingate Jr. of Albany, Ga.
The family respectfully declines the gift of flowers, requesting that friends consider a memorial gift to the local public library. She was a patient of Chattahoochee Hospice Inc.
WEST POINT --Miss Dorothy Virginia Spence, 99, of West Point died Wednesday, July 12, 2000 at her residence.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 15 at First Baptist Church of West Point featuring music, poetry, scripture and celebrating memories of her long and exemplary life. Visitation will follow in the church sanctuary.
Miss Spence is survived by two nieces, Mrs. Ruth Spence Wingate (Mrs. Donald J.P Downs of West Point, and Mrs. Luanne Spence (Mrs. Benjamin G.) Taylor of San Antonio, Texas; three nephews, Mr. William R. Wingate of Camilla, Ga., and Mr. William Spence and Mr. Craig H. Spence, both of San Antonio; 18 great-nieces and nephews, including Dr. Joseph R. Downs III and Dr. Margaret Downs Schaufler of West Point, Judge Doris L. Downs of Atlanta, Ga., and Mr. J. Wingate Downs of Arnoldsville, Ga.
Miss Spence had lived in West Point for 17 years with her niece and nephew, Ruth Spence Wingate and Donald J. Downs. She was educated as a school teacher at Shorter College and Peabody College, now part of Vanderbilt University. Miss Spence's brief school teaching experience in rural schools in Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma convinced her that her talents lay in the direction of professional library work. She graduated from the Library School of the University of Illinois in 1931 and enjoyed a lengthy career as a librarian.
As State Supervisor of WPA Library Service, Miss Spence initiated and promoted the establishment of the first regional library in Georgia, Athens Regional Library. From that beginning grew the pattern of public library service organization throughout the state resulting in the establishment of 28 regional or multi-county libraries.
Miss Spence was director of Southwest Georgia Regional Library, Bainbridge, Ga. 1950-71; Assistant State Supervisor of Public Libraries, Albany, Ga. 1944-50; State and District Supervisor, WPA Library Program, Atlanta, 1936-43.
Always an avid reader, Miss Spence especially enjoyed discussing books, visiting and corresponding with many friends and family members, listening to classical music, playing bridge, walking, participating in the discussion of current and political events, and traveling extensively all over the world.
"We were a political family," Miss Spence often said. Her father was elected a circuit Judge in Southwest Georgia before serving as a U.S. Attorney for the Territory of Alaska. Miss Spence was born Dec. 20, 1900 and spent her early years in Camilla, Ga. in the historic Gardner Home built by her father, Judge Spence. Her family returned from Alaska and resided at 425 Society Avenue, Albany, Ga., which served as a permanent address for Miss Spence as she traveled the state and while she worked in Bainbridge.
Miss Spence was a member of First Baptist Church of West Point and was active throughout much of her life in church and civic affairs. She described herself proudly as a "crusading liberal," especially for civil rights, children's and women's causes, and the environment.
She was the daughter of the late Judge William Napoleon Spence and Annie Rogers Curry Spence of Albany, Ga. Miss Spence was preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers, Misses Susie and Emily Toy Spence of Albany, Ga., Mrs. Ruth Spence (Mrs. H.L.) Wingate of Pelham, Ga., Mr. Henry Turner Spence of Albany, Ga., Brig. Gen. William Spence of San Antonio, Texas, and Mr. Sam Bennett Spence of Wichita Falls, Texas; and two nephews, Lt. James Cochran Wingate of Pelham, Ga., and Mr. Harry Lynnwood Wingate Jr. of Albany, Ga.
The family respectfully declines the gift of flowers, requesting that friends consider a memorial gift to the local public library. She was a patient of Chattahoochee Hospice Inc.
Valley Times-News, The (Lanett, AL) - Friday, July 14, 2000
WEST POINT --Miss Dorothy Virginia Spence, 99, of West Point died Wednesday, July 12, 2000 at her residence.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 15 at First Baptist Church of West Point featuring music, poetry, scripture and celebrating memories of her long and exemplary life. Visitation will follow in the church sanctuary.
Miss Spence is survived by two nieces, Mrs. Ruth Spence Wingate (Mrs. Donald J.P Downs of West Point, and Mrs. Luanne Spence (Mrs. Benjamin G.) Taylor of San Antonio, Texas; three nephews, Mr. William R. Wingate of Camilla, Ga., and Mr. William Spence and Mr. Craig H. Spence, both of San Antonio; 18 great-nieces and nephews, including Dr. Joseph R. Downs III and Dr. Margaret Downs Schaufler of West Point, Judge Doris L. Downs of Atlanta, Ga., and Mr. J. Wingate Downs of Arnoldsville, Ga.
Miss Spence had lived in West Point for 17 years with her niece and nephew, Ruth Spence Wingate and Donald J. Downs. She was educated as a school teacher at Shorter College and Peabody College, now part of Vanderbilt University. Miss Spence's brief school teaching experience in rural schools in Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma convinced her that her talents lay in the direction of professional library work. She graduated from the Library School of the University of Illinois in 1931 and enjoyed a lengthy career as a librarian.
As State Supervisor of WPA Library Service, Miss Spence initiated and promoted the establishment of the first regional library in Georgia, Athens Regional Library. From that beginning grew the pattern of public library service organization throughout the state resulting in the establishment of 28 regional or multi-county libraries.
Miss Spence was director of Southwest Georgia Regional Library, Bainbridge, Ga. 1950-71; Assistant State Supervisor of Public Libraries, Albany, Ga. 1944-50; State and District Supervisor, WPA Library Program, Atlanta, 1936-43.
Always an avid reader, Miss Spence especially enjoyed discussing books, visiting and corresponding with many friends and family members, listening to classical music, playing bridge, walking, participating in the discussion of current and political events, and traveling extensively all over the world.
"We were a political family," Miss Spence often said. Her father was elected a circuit Judge in Southwest Georgia before serving as a U.S. Attorney for the Territory of Alaska. Miss Spence was born Dec. 20, 1900 and spent her early years in Camilla, Ga. in the historic Gardner Home built by her father, Judge Spence. Her family returned from Alaska and resided at 425 Society Avenue, Albany, Ga., which served as a permanent address for Miss Spence as she traveled the state and while she worked in Bainbridge.
Miss Spence was a member of First Baptist Church of West Point and was active throughout much of her life in church and civic affairs. She described herself proudly as a "crusading liberal," especially for civil rights, children's and women's causes, and the environment.
She was the daughter of the late Judge William Napoleon Spence and Annie Rogers Curry Spence of Albany, Ga. Miss Spence was preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers, Misses Susie and Emily Toy Spence of Albany, Ga., Mrs. Ruth Spence (Mrs. H.L.) Wingate of Pelham, Ga., Mr. Henry Turner Spence of Albany, Ga., Brig. Gen. William Spence of San Antonio, Texas, and Mr. Sam Bennett Spence of Wichita Falls, Texas; and two nephews, Lt. James Cochran Wingate of Pelham, Ga., and Mr. Harry Lynnwood Wingate Jr. of Albany, Ga.
The family respectfully declines the gift of flowers, requesting that friends consider a memorial gift to the local public library. She was a patient of Chattahoochee Hospice Inc.
WEST POINT --Miss Dorothy Virginia Spence, 99, of West Point died Wednesday, July 12, 2000 at her residence.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 15 at First Baptist Church of West Point featuring music, poetry, scripture and celebrating memories of her long and exemplary life. Visitation will follow in the church sanctuary.
Miss Spence is survived by two nieces, Mrs. Ruth Spence Wingate (Mrs. Donald J.P Downs of West Point, and Mrs. Luanne Spence (Mrs. Benjamin G.) Taylor of San Antonio, Texas; three nephews, Mr. William R. Wingate of Camilla, Ga., and Mr. William Spence and Mr. Craig H. Spence, both of San Antonio; 18 great-nieces and nephews, including Dr. Joseph R. Downs III and Dr. Margaret Downs Schaufler of West Point, Judge Doris L. Downs of Atlanta, Ga., and Mr. J. Wingate Downs of Arnoldsville, Ga.
Miss Spence had lived in West Point for 17 years with her niece and nephew, Ruth Spence Wingate and Donald J. Downs. She was educated as a school teacher at Shorter College and Peabody College, now part of Vanderbilt University. Miss Spence's brief school teaching experience in rural schools in Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma convinced her that her talents lay in the direction of professional library work. She graduated from the Library School of the University of Illinois in 1931 and enjoyed a lengthy career as a librarian.
As State Supervisor of WPA Library Service, Miss Spence initiated and promoted the establishment of the first regional library in Georgia, Athens Regional Library. From that beginning grew the pattern of public library service organization throughout the state resulting in the establishment of 28 regional or multi-county libraries.
Miss Spence was director of Southwest Georgia Regional Library, Bainbridge, Ga. 1950-71; Assistant State Supervisor of Public Libraries, Albany, Ga. 1944-50; State and District Supervisor, WPA Library Program, Atlanta, 1936-43.
Always an avid reader, Miss Spence especially enjoyed discussing books, visiting and corresponding with many friends and family members, listening to classical music, playing bridge, walking, participating in the discussion of current and political events, and traveling extensively all over the world.
"We were a political family," Miss Spence often said. Her father was elected a circuit Judge in Southwest Georgia before serving as a U.S. Attorney for the Territory of Alaska. Miss Spence was born Dec. 20, 1900 and spent her early years in Camilla, Ga. in the historic Gardner Home built by her father, Judge Spence. Her family returned from Alaska and resided at 425 Society Avenue, Albany, Ga., which served as a permanent address for Miss Spence as she traveled the state and while she worked in Bainbridge.
Miss Spence was a member of First Baptist Church of West Point and was active throughout much of her life in church and civic affairs. She described herself proudly as a "crusading liberal," especially for civil rights, children's and women's causes, and the environment.
She was the daughter of the late Judge William Napoleon Spence and Annie Rogers Curry Spence of Albany, Ga. Miss Spence was preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers, Misses Susie and Emily Toy Spence of Albany, Ga., Mrs. Ruth Spence (Mrs. H.L.) Wingate of Pelham, Ga., Mr. Henry Turner Spence of Albany, Ga., Brig. Gen. William Spence of San Antonio, Texas, and Mr. Sam Bennett Spence of Wichita Falls, Texas; and two nephews, Lt. James Cochran Wingate of Pelham, Ga., and Mr. Harry Lynnwood Wingate Jr. of Albany, Ga.
The family respectfully declines the gift of flowers, requesting that friends consider a memorial gift to the local public library. She was a patient of Chattahoochee Hospice Inc.
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