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Obituaries

Obituary for Stella M. "Missy" Spencer Stella M. "Missy" Spencer
Poet, Photographer, Greeter Enjoyed Creating Happiness...

Stella M. "Missy" Spencer went to be with the Lord, June 10, 2007.

There will be a celebration of her life on June 17, 2007 at 3 p.m. at the Church of Christ in Lexington.

Born in Akron, Ohio on December 6, 1913, she spent two years as a youngster and many of her teenage years at the Tennessee Orphan's Home in Columbia, Tennessee.

She attended Central High School. She was a talented writer of poetry, which she contributed throughout her life. Many of her poems were published in the newspaper and she compiled a book which enriched the lives of family and friends.

She and her husband, George Eugene Spencer, now deceased, were transferred by DuPont to Martinsville, VA in 1942. Soon after moving to Martinsville, they opened Spencer's Studio, a photographic studio. "Missy's" special talent was photographing animals and children and many of her photographs appeared in the newspaper. They made pictures of many generations of families in the Martinsville-Henry County area.

She had a weekly column in the "Martinsville Bulletin" called "Chap Chatter".

In 1943, she started a sewing club with twelve ladies who enjoyed sewing for their children. The club was named the "Snip 'n Stitch". Their projects included presenting fashion shows to show their work and it made money, which was used to help needy children at Christmas.

In 1969 she was chosen "Mother of the Year" byt he Retail Merchants Association. She was a member of Credit Women International. As a project for the club, she organized and scripted a pageant for little girls, ages 4 and 5. This was such a success that it continued for 34 years. The proceeds went to different charities. The club recognized "Missy" by naming a scholarship in her honor. "The Missy Spencer Scholarship" was presented to a student attending Patrick Henry Community College.

In 1987, while working with Green Thumb, a social services project, she became a Hospice volunteer. "Missy" became a Wal-Mart "door greeter" in 1989, until the new store opened, when she became "The Cookie Moonster", greeting customers with a smile and a cookie as they came into the store.

She also was Mrs. Santa Claus at the Christmas season. It is no surprise that she never met a stranger and loved everyone. Her motto was "Happiness is making people smile" - from Proverbs 17:22, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine".

When she moved to Lexington in 2001 to be near her daughter, she continued to work at Wal-Mart and retired with 15 years of service.

When she and her husband came to Martinsville, there was no congregation of the Church of Christ. She put a notice in the paper that she and her husband were looking for others interested in worshiping in their faith. There were four families who met together in each other's homes. There are now two thriving churches - one in Martinsville and one in Collinsville.

Her constant companion for 15 years was her little Chihuahua "Bambi" who preceded her in death May, 2006.

She is survived by her only daughter, Eugenia Marie "Genie" Vaughn and son-in-law, Gerald "Jerry" L. Vaughn of Rockbridge County; gransons: Gerald L. Vaughn, Jr. of Richmond, and Steven T. Vaughn and wife, Jannine of Ashburn, VA; great grandsons: Gerald L. Vaughn, III and wife, Melissa; Mason Henry and Avery Patton Vaughn of Ashburn, VA; a dearly-loved sister-in-law, Martha Virginia "Mattevee" Spencer Lewis of Columbia, TN; great nephews: Eddie Lewis and wife, Kim; Terry Lewis and wife, Allison; and their son, D. J., all of Florence, AL; a special cousin, Martha Florence Jones of Gardendale, AL; and many special friends.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Lexington Church of Christ, 522 S. Main St., Lexington, Va. 24450.

Arrangements are being handled by the Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, Virginia.