George Hadley Spencer

Asheville - George Hadley Spencer, 79, 25 Choo Choo Lane, went home to be with the Lord Monday April 15, 2002 at his residence after a period of declining health. A native of Marshalltown , Iowa, he had lived most of his life in Buncombe County. Mr. Spencer was one of five brothers to see action and serve honorably in W.W.II, spending five years from 1940 to 1945 in the Marine Corps in the South Pacific and fought in the battles of Midway, Tarwia, Saipan and Tinain. He spent 39 years with the Southern Railway, serving eight years as secretary of the UTU before retiring in June of 1984. He also represented the railroad on the port authority for NC for several years. He was a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church where he served in various capacities through the years. He was a member of the Lions Club and was presented a lifetime membership and plaque for his service, he was also a supporter of the Eliada Childrens Home. Mr. Spencer was a son of the late Floyd B. and Beulah Marie Ware Spencer. He was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Thelma Johnson Spencer of the home formerly of Saluda; daughters, Charlotte Spencer of Asheville, Bonita Mears and husband, Jim of Asheville, Loretta Peake and husband, Burt of Knoxville and Raelene Goforth and husband, Charles of Asheville; grandchildren, Nicholas, Jonathan, and Carly Goforth of Asheville, Hillary Peake of High Point, B.T. Spencer and Christian Peake of Knoxville; brother, Raymond Spencer and wife, Doris of Fletcher and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Ronnie Owen and Rev. Ed Shoff officiating. Burial will be at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with graveside rites conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Memorial Team. His family will receive friends from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to: Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Building Fund, 200 Mt. Carmel Road, Asheville, NC 28806.