Gloria Elaine Spence

Gloria Spence was born the first child of Cyril George and Enid Levy on October 24, 1934, in the district of Russells, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica W.I. Early education began at the Primary School and ended at age 13 when the required eight years of elementary education ended. Additional studies after school hours ended when she received a three year scholarship to the Shortwood Teacher Training College in Kingston Jamaica. Three years later in December of 1956 came graduation day when college was over and the work world became a reality. One year was spent in Kellitts as a release teacher for the headmaster U.C. Wolfe who was president of the Jamaica Union of Teachers. Next teaching position was Port Maria primary in St. Mary, for 1 year and four months. Marriage to D.O. Spence took place in April 1959 in Kingston Jamaica. A year later on May 19 their son Richard was born. Teaching jobs in Bogue St. Elizabeth and Balaclava spanned the years until 1962 when her husband was transferred to Hanover. They lived in Montego Bay where she taught at Bogue Hill School and later on at the Girls School in Montego Bay. The year 1968 brought new change, her husband returned to West Indies College for a Bachelor of Theology degree. In July of 1970 they left Jamaica for the United States and Seattle Washington, where they lived until September 1971 when they moved to Berrien Springs so he could get a Master's degree. She also returned to school at Andrews University earning a BA in Education and later a Master's degree from Michigan State University. For 24 ½ years she worked with Benton Harbor Area Schools first as a paraprofessional, then later as a classroom teacher. Retirement from the school system came in June of 1977 with the hope of seeing some other parts of this great wide world. There will be a memorial service on April 26, 2014, 3:00pm, at Avon Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1410 West Avon Blvd., Avon Park, FL Arrangements entrusted to: Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home www.stephensonnelsonfh.com