Shelby Jean (Jackson) Spencer

Shelby Jean Spencer, 85, originally from Mounds, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 6 in Apex, North Carolina surrounded by her daughters. Shelby was born on June 28, 1936, to the late Francis (Red) and Suzie Jackson of Thebes. Shelby was married in 1953 to the late Charles (Jerry) Spencer.

Shelby was a homemaker and devoted many years as Granny/Grandma and as babysitter-in-chief for her grandchildren, traveling to St. Louis and Kansas City as families moved around. She spent time living with Tammy in Cape Girardeau and then with Sherry in North Carolina, where she enjoyed babysitting her great grandchildren. Shelby was blessed to reside in Rex Nursing Care Center in Apex, North Carolina, for the last few years where she received very special loving care while providing a great source of entertainment to the staff and her friends.

Shelby is survived by daughters, Sherry (Greg) Hileman and Tammy (Tommy) Whiteside; five grandchildren, Apryl (Joe) Slade, Allie (Nichole) Hileman, Abby Hileman, Ashley (Derek) Burdge, and Brad (Nicole) Gaal; four great grandchildren Annalisa Tritt, Spencer Tritt, Rylen Slade and Preston Balock; brother Dearl (Nancy) Jackson; sisters Carolyn McIntyre, and Linda Lee; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, infant son Charles Jason II, brothers Marion Dean Jackson, Floyd Jackson and Terry Jackson, sisters Martha Farmer, Janet Hewerdine, and son-in-law Tommy Whiteside.

Family services will be held at both Apex Funeral Home of Apex, North Carolina and Jones Funeral Home of Villa Ridge, Illinois. Her ashes will be interred in the Mounds Spencer Heights Cemetery at a later date.