Guy Spence

Guy Spence, 84, of Wake Forest, passed away on Sunday evening, September 24th, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida to the late Chess Spence and Bessie Beauchamp Spence.

Guy grew up on a farm in a rural part of northwest Florida.  Upon graduation from high school, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Incirlik, Turkey for most of his four-year service.  After he was honorably discharged, he enrolled at the University of Florida where he received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.  After graduating UF in 1967, he took a job with RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where he would meet and marry Phyllis Reynolds in 1968.  At RJ Reynolds, Guy was put in charge of their new electron microscopy lab, a position he held until his retirement on January 1st, 1997.  Guy’s roots on the farm ran deep and he was an avid gardener, growing all kinds of vegetables in his sizable garden.  He loved tools and tractors and cultivating his home both inside and out.  Guy was passionate about his family and spent countless hours with his son Brian teaching him how to play sports (especially baseball and tennis) and how to be a man and take care of things.  He loved his wife deeply and was completely devoted to her for 55 years.  Vacations were an important part of every summer, and he loved to take the family to Florida for several weeks every year.  His retirement years were spent reading novels, working in his garden and yard, and waiting patiently for grandchildren which finally started arriving in 2016, much to his delight.  In 2020, Guy and Phyllis sold their home of nearly 50 years and moved to Wake Forest where they shared a home with their son Brian and his wife, Nikki and their grandsons Chess and Ben.  There, he continued to be the primary caretaker of the yard.  Most importantly, Guy loved Jesus and trusted him completely to forgive his sins and to be his great treasure and joy.  He was a faithful member of Grace Baptist Church in Winston-Salem for 30 years and was a member of Imago Dei Church after moving to Wake Forest.

Guy is survived by his wife of 55 years, Phyllis Reynolds Spence; son, Brian Spence and wife Nikki of Wake Forest; grandchildren, Maddie Cundiff & husband Daniel of Athens, Alabama, Charlie Tibbetts of Athens, Alabama, Chess and Ben Spence both of Wake Forest; sister, Marie Lathinghouse of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; special family, Yurami Hepler & husband David and their son Michael all of Winston Salem. He was preceded in death by his sisters Iris McCollum, Virginia Lathinghouse, Ann Beamon, and Chestine Henderson.

In North Carolina, a time of visitation will be held on September 29th from 2:30pm to 3:30pm at Imago Dei Church with a funeral service at 4:00pm.

In DeFuniak Springs, a Graveside Service will be held at Alaqua Methodist Church Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 6th, 2023.

Memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Spence’s memory to Imago Dei Church, 9200 Strickland Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615

Arrangements in North Carolina were handled by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587.(919)556-7400