April 27, 1938 - June 6, 2025
Virginia Mae Hendrix Spence, also known as Mema, was welcomed home by her Lord and Savior on June 6, 2025, at the age of 87. She was born in April of 1938 in Savannah where she lived for several years until her family moved to Portal, Georgia. She graduated from Portal High School in 1956 and completed two years of higher education at Georgia Teachers College.
She married the love of her life, I.W. (Ivy William) Spence in November 1959, and they had three children. Over the years, she worked for short periods of time at several different places, but her main occupation was homemaker. One of her last “jobs” was as a volunteer with the Georgia Southern Boosters working in the ticket office during the Erk Russell days and beyond. She and I.W. were fervent GSU Football fans and enjoyed years of RV travel across the United States. For many years, the two of them, along with several close friends, did not miss a single football game—no matter how far they had to travel. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church where she served for many years in various capacities. One of her most cherished jobs was as the leader of the Jolly Christians where she coordinated many activities and trips for the senior citizens at Friendship.
Preceding her in death were her husband and her parents, B.J. (Buck) and Eunice Parker Hendrix as well as several precious aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She is survived by her children: daughter Monica Lanier (Lannie), sons Jeff Spence (Pam) and Les Spence (Lori); grandsons Josh Lanier (Jamie), Tagg Lanier (Bailey), Will Spence (Meghan), Dylan Spence, and Brantley Spence (Faith); great grandchildren, Avie Grace Lanier, Mackenzie Lanier, Wren Lanier, Finley Lanier, Ivy Lanier, Fletcher Lanier, Cassedy Spence and Liam Spence as well as another precious little one on the way; several nieces and nephews and special cousin, Glenn Parker.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, June 8, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Joiner Anderson Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Monday, June 9, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Joiner Anderson Funeral Home followed by burial at Friendship Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephew, Keith Barber.
The family would like to express our deep and abiding gratitude to Charlotte Patterson, faithful caregiver for the last several years. The family would also like to thank the staff at Azalea Health and Rehab in Metter for the care given to her during the last two years.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund at Friendship Baptist Church or to Oak Grove Baptist Church.
Family and friends can sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory are in charge of the arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virginia, please visit our floral store.