Spence Mike Dye

Spence was born in Leachville, Arkansas on July 21, 1926 to Nina Dale and Charley Dye. After he served in World War II, he graduated from Murray State University where he was President of both his class and fraternity. Spence was the first member of his family to graduate from college.

Spence began his career at Southern Bell Telephone Company, where he met the love of his life, Billie Lee Gliessner. They were married in August of 1954 – almost 64 years ago – and had 3 children. Spence worked his way up and eventually became the Assistant Vice-President and State Marketing Manager. After deregulation, he left the telephone company and became the first President of the Mississippi Retail Association. He then started his own business, Spence Dye Consulting, LLC, where he was an independent lobbyist in Mississippi and Washington, DC.

Spence was a member of the Country Club of Jackson where he enjoyed golf with a passion – it was a game he picked up from his father-in-law. Over the years, he made 11 holes-in-one. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, and in 1980 he was the head of Jackson’s United Way campaign.

In short, Spence simply loved life, and he loved people, especially his wife. When asked the secret of living a long life, he said you must find your true love, which obviously he did. But his willingness to care for people went way beyond his wife and family. He was constantly lending a hand to those in need, even strangers. He wanted people to succeed and did whatever he could to help. He was such a selfless person. Even at the end of his life on this earth, he was praising the healthcare workers for the wonderful job they were doing and thanking them for taking care of him. Spence made sure everyone in his family would be taken care of when he was no longer here to fulfill that role.

Spence is survived by his wife Billie; children Jim (Lois), LeAnn Hahn and Bobby (Darnell); grandchildren Pete Kramer (Katie), Caroline Walker (Will), Taylor Dye, Laura Dye, James Dye, Gary Dye (Shelby) and Charlie Dye; great-grandchildren Harrison Walker, Dawson Kramer, and Lucy Walker. He was predeceased by grandson Jake Kramer. And let’s not forget his faithful dogs, Bo and Barney, who stayed by his bedside to the very end.

The funeral service will be held at Parkway Funeral Home on July 30, 2018 at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be held at Parkway Funeral Home on Sunday, July 29th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm and Monday, July 30th from 12 noon to 1 pm.

Memorial donations may be made in Spence’s name to African Bible College for the Spence Dye School of Business & Management in Malawi, Africa or to Cheshire Abbey in Jackson, Mississippi.