Obituary of Grady Spence

Grady "Buster" Willard Spence, 87, passed away peacefully at home Monday morning, November 18, 2013.

A celebration of his life will be held 2 pm Thursday at Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel. Private family interment will follow in the Chapel of Memories Columbarium at Montlawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 - 2 pm Thursday.

A native of Ebony, VA, Grady was born October 17, 1926 to the late Benjamin Watkins and Helen Pink Spence. He attended Virginia School for the deaf in Staunton, VA where he played football, baseball and basketball. He was inducted in Hall of Fame in 1990's. He was a carpenter for 49 years in New Bern, NC and mostly in Raleigh under Blanchard Construction and Carolina Builders. His last nine years before retirement, he worked as an assembler at IBM in the RTP. He loved fishing, deer hunting, working with his hands and planting gardens. He was a member of the Lion's Club, Capital Deaf Seniors and Wilson Deaf Seniors.

Grady was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Spence of 61 years, two brothers, Wilbert L. Spence, Luther G. Spence and two sisters, Loris Kidd and Shirley Morris.

Grady is survived by three daughters, Mary "Jeannie" Parris (Marion) of Wilson, Ruth S. Rambeaut (Dale) of Raleigh, Betty S. Kerns (Gary) of Fairmont; four grandchildren, Sean A Parris (Mary-Claire) of Raleigh, Jennifer P. Smith (Brandon) of Wilson, J. Bryan Rambeaut of Raleigh, Tiffany A. Rambeaut of Raleigh; and a great-granddaughter, Emily G. Pariss of Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.