Seventh Generation

4365. Carl Ray SPENCER (private).

Shelva Jean BEARD, daughter of Yates W. BEARD and Annie Vivian AUTON, was born on 7 March 1937 in Lincoln County, North Carolina. She died on 20 March 2012 at the age of 75 in Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida. She was buried in Mt. Ruhama Baptist Church Cemetery south of Newton, Catawba County, NC. Her obituary appeared as follows: CATAWBA Shelva Jean Beard Spencer, 75, of Catawba passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Fla. Born March 7, 1937 in Lincoln County, she was the daughter of the late Yates William Beard and Vivian Auton Beard. Shelva graduated from Western-Piedmont Community College with a degree in law enforcement. A trend-setter in law enforcement, Shelva was the first certified female law enforcement officer in Catawba County. She was retired as an Inspector for the State of NC DMV. Her thirst for knowledge never stopped, she received her certification as a dog groomer Dec. 21, 2011, and was attending an advanced class. Her Yorkie, "Baby" and her Maltese, "Boo" miss her already. Shelva loved to fish and sing, was always listening to her stereo and singing, with music around her kids. She passed away surrounded by her family while on their annual RV trip to Florida. Shelva loved her family deeply, saying she was the "Matriarch" of the family. She worshipped her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Carl Ray Spencer of the home; son, Kevin Douglas Spencer and his wife, Debbie of Conover; two daughters, Carla Denise Spencer and her husband, Thomas Barry of Kentucky and Dawn Spencer Kilby and husband Michael, of Conover; sister, Nancy Beard Stewart and her husband, Kevin of Newton; grandchildren, Christopher Scott Spencer and his wife, Emily, Ryan Douglas Spencer, Sean Spencer Kilby, Annie Rae Barry, Kyle Thomas Barry, Michael Gordon Kilby and his wife Sherri and David Clinton Kilby and his wife, Hale; great-grandchildren, Braxton Baker Kilby and Raegan Annsleigh Kilby; and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Monday, March 26, at 3 p.m. at Trinity Reform United Church of Christ with the Rev. Peggy Stout, the Rev. Lonny McSherley and Dr. Thomas R. Hamilton officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Ruhama Baptist Church in Maiden. The family will receive friends Monday from 1 to 2:45 p.m. at the church prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Trinity Reform United Church of Christ Choir, 217 2nd Ave. NE, Conover, NC 28613. Visit burkemortuary. com to register your condolences online. Burke Mortuary in Newton is serving the Spencer family. [Published in Hickory Daily Record from March 21 to March 24, 2012]

Carl Ray SPENCER and Shelva Jean BEARD had the following children: