COLUMBIA - Rebecca Lauren McEntire Spence passed away Monday, May 14, 2018, in Melbourne, FL, surrounded by her family. Lauren was born on September 4, 1974 in Columbia, SC. She grew up in the Ballentine area and graduated from Irmo High School in 1992. She was a member of Gamma Phi Beta and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Lander College in 2000.
Lauren is survived by and was the wife of underwater archaeologist, Dr. E. Lee Spence, and daughter of John Thomas McEntire, Sr., and Loretta Monts McEntire. Lauren had three older brothers, John Thomas Jr. (Deana Lynch McEntire), Barney Joseph “Joe” (Karen Carr McEntire) and Jacob Martin “Jake.” She had five nieces, Lyles, Ellise, Bricee, Jessa, and Rylan, and three nephews, Trevor, Thomas and Hunter and numerous loving uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Lauren loved being outdoors, animals, travel, and being with family. She will be remembered as a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend, always willing to share and show her kindness, patience, generosity, and forgiveness.
Lauren traveled served as Sea Research Society's Expedition Photographer while documenting Dr. Spence's shipwreck discoveries around the Caribbean as well as North and Central America. When not on expeditions, Lauren operated her own pet care service, and was a substitute teacher and enjoyed helping and working with "special needs" students.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Irmo, SC) or to any animal shelter organization.
Visitation will be Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, Irmo, SC. The funeral will be Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 10000 Broad River Road, Irmo, SC.
