Thelma M. Spencer, at the age of 103, passed away from this earthly world on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, to join her savior, Jesus Christ, and other Christian souls. A woman of Methodist faith, she lived a life as close to her Lord as any person could.
Thelma was born on April 24, 1923, in Hunter, Arkansas, in Woodruff County, to William H. Schaefer and Della Brittingham Schaefer. The oldest of three children, her family was poor monetarily, but they made it through the Great Depression with love and strong family ties.
She married Carl J. Spencer in 1941 after graduating from Hunter High School. They were married for 46 years until his death in 1987. They had five children, four who are still living. A 53-year resident of Judsonia, Thelma and Carl had lived at Cotton Plant, in Woodruff County, for 20 years previously.
As a young lady, Thelma delivered the Grit newspaper and later worked in the cotton fields, a grocery store, a dry cleaning shop, and two different school cafeterias, all while raising a family. Later she helped Carl with raising cattle, gardening and farming.
Thelma drove vehicles until she was 95 and kept active in the Bald Knob United Methodist Church until age 97. She never met a stranger and knew her whole family and many, many friends’ birthdays and anniversaries, who received cards from her. They called her the “Card Lady” in several organizations.
Her last few years were spent housebound due to not being able to walk or stand on her own. Thelma believed strongly in her family. She was a true example of a good mother who never stopped loving and caring for her family and particularly her children that was evident to her last day.
In addition to her parents and husband, Thelma was predeceased by her siblings: brother, William C. Schaefer, sister, Emma Vanaman; infant daughter, Marie Annette Spencer; and daughter-in-law, Virginia Spencer. Survivors include her children, Howard Spencer of Louisville, Kentucky, Dewey Spencer (Roberta) of Judsonia, H. Paul Spencer (Kathy) of North Little Rock, and Mary Spencer of Jacksonville; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren, six step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren; plus nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in the Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in McCrory with Rev. Steve Schaefer and Rev. David Schaefer officiating. Interment will follow in Hunter Cemetery.
Friends may visit at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until service time.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Gregg Brannon, Bill Fuller, Mike Jendrejas, Alan Spencer, Michael Spencer, and Will Spencer.
Memorials may be sent to Hunter Cemetery, c/o Angie Cary, P.O. Box 202, Hunter, AR 72074 or Bald Knob United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1240, Bald Knob, AR 72010.
Arrangements by Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home of McCrory.
