Eileen Dougherty Spence, age 93, of Roanoke, Virginia and formerly of Clifton Forge, died Friday, February 17, 2012 at the residence of her daughter in Roanoke.

She was born February 25, 1918 in Wilmington, Delaware, to the late John Patrick and Lillian Walmsley Dougherty.

She was a homemaker throughout her life and had a great love for her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Hugh Spence in 1992; a brother, Jack Dougherty; and a great grandson, Jeffrey Spence.

She is survived by a daughter, Patricia Nicely and husband, Wayne of Roanoke; three sons, Richard Spence and wife, Jackie of Paducah, KY, Thomas Spence and wife, Linda of New Castle, and Jack Spence of New Castle; twelve grandchildren, Thomas Spence, Jr., Mike Spence, Jeff Spence, Kelly Moore, Michelle Oxley, Stephanie Robertson, Stacy Jones, Steven Spence, Brandon Nicely, Brian Nicely, Rodney Nicely, and Susan Harper; twenty-three great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and a niece, Anne Dailey.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Joe Klotz officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. The grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Good Samaritan Hospice, 2408 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018 or by Email: nfo@goodsamhospice.org.