Ruth Rose Spencer

She is survived by her older brother the Reverend Howard Rose, daughters Susan Spencer, Sandra Spencer, Shelly Ayers (J.P.), grandchildren Blake Ayers, Mandy Wolf, Kent Ayers and numerous loving friends.

She was educated in the public schools of Buffalo, NY where she excelled academically. In 8th grade she was awarded the prestigious Jesse Ketchum award given to the top students of the city. After graduating from high school, she attended Buffalo State Teachers College ('52-'56) that she exclusively financed by herself working summers at a local jewelry store and photo shop. She was a member of the Pi Kappa Rho (formally Phi Kappa Sigma) education sorority where she held an officer position as treasurer. She graduated with a Bachelors and Masters (Cum Laude) in Education and went on to teach 3rd grade in the Buffalo public schools for more than seven years.

In July of 1959 she married Clarence Spencer (deceased 1998) to whom she was married to for 23 years. The family relocated to Fairport, NY in 1968 where she lived until 1981. The family then relocated to Raleigh, NC in 1981 where she lived for the remainder of her days.

Ruth was a lifelong Presbyterian. Her early years were at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Buffalo NY. She then transferred her membership to Penfield Presbyterian Church in an adjacent community when she moved to Fairport, NY and remained a member at Penfield until the family relocated to Raleigh. In Raleigh she joined Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church. As a member of these churches, she was a Sunday school teacher, bible school teacher, deacon, Stephen Minister, Elder, and served leadership roles in Single Way, and Women's Circle groups. She was also active in Amazing Grays, Presbyterian Women and Meals on Wheels. In 2018, the Presbyterian Women of Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church honored her with an Honorary Life Membership.

In addition to her church activities, over the years she was Girl Scout Brownie leader, a girls assistant softball coach, and a Housewares manager at a Brendle's retail showroom in Raleigh in the early 1980s. Her selection of this position was due to the workplace policy of not being open Sundays so that she could attend regular church services. She supplemented her Housewares position with working as a Hoover vacuum sales associate. In 1985, she obtained the position of Records Manager at Hunton & Williams law firm where she remained employed until retirement at age 71.

Ruth enjoyed spending times with all her friends. She loved going to restaurants, movies, plays and meeting for fellowship and sharing stories and laughs. Community was very important to her. She was a faithful servant to the church and a hero to her family and will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pastor's Discretionary fund at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 4921 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27609: https://www.hmpc.org/donateonline