Charles Spencer

Charles Britton Spencer was born on January 3, 1941, in Greensboro, Alabama, to Charles A. Spencer, an absentee father, and Bessie Scarbrough. Tragically, at a very young age, Little Charlie lost his mother. This probably comes as a surprise to most of you, but Charles spent most of his youth growing up in an orphanage separated from his siblings. Each child got sent to a different orphanage. An interesting detail is that until he went into the orphanage, he had never been in a real bathroom nor seen a toilet. Maybe that is why he went into the plumbing supply business. Charles was never bitter nor did he feel the least bit deprived or sorry for himself regarding his childhood. He always looked for the best in everyone and in every situation. He had a great time as a boy and an even greater time the rest of his life as you had better believe, he spent it making lifelong connections and family everywhere he went.

He found Brotherhood when he joined the US Army and faithfully and proudly served his country. You would be hard pressed to find a human any more proud of his family and his country and heritage than Charles Spencer. Charles also enjoyed a very special Brotherhood as a member of Masonic Lodge 722 Milton H. Fies.

After his military service, Charles went to work at V and W Supply in Birmingham where he actually retired TWICE because he just did not want to stop working. Charles truly enjoyed his job and was extremely proud to work there, and he absolutely loved the people he worked with. He was fiercely loyal and considered his coworkers his family. He was as strong as an ox and could outwork three men half his age. He gave the young guns a run for their money at the gym too, another place he made friends and brothers. When he got off work, he would work a second job cutting grass until it turned dark. He actually cut nine yards the week before he and Sandra were both hospitalized in September; NINE, 81 years old in the Alabama heat!

Charles found an entirely new, robust, warm and welcoming family when he married and made a home with the love of his life, Sandra Ann (Clark) Spencer (8/10/1947-9/17/2021). Charles now shared with Sandra, her parents, two sisters, two brothers in law and a host of cousins and later, nieces and nephews. The Clarks loved him as their own and treated him as though he had always been theirs. Family was celebrated often, and deep, meaningful relationships were forged on strong foundations built to withstand all the tests of time. Then along came their daughter, Suzanne Marie. She was the apple of her daddy's eye, and he made it his mission in life to see that she would never want materially for anything. To this day, she never has, and neither have his beloved granddaughters, Presley Caitlin and Peyton Gabrielle. Charlie was HOME, and his heart was full. He adopted friends and neighbors as family too, most notably, the late Judy and Bill Lawson,  Johnny and the late Janice Handley, the late Red and Nell Taylor, and Rebekah, his bonus daughter. He, Sandra and Suzanne invited her into their home when she was of age, but she had been a part of their family for many years before then, and they loved her and their other chosen family members completely and unconditionally for the rest of their lives.

Charles' final and most important Adoption took place when he walked the church aisle and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. It was one of the happiest days of Sandra's life too. He faithfully attended Alabaster Church of God and enjoyed every minute spent with his church family and being an integral and active part of the Family of Christ.

Salt of the Earth men like Charles don't just come along every day. His life reflected the Golden Rule as he always treated others the way he wanted to be treated, actually a bit better, even, truth be told. He was steadfast, loyal and a dedicated man of his word. If Charles Spencer told you something, you could take it to the bank AND bet your life on it. He would never speak of all the good he did, but if ever anyone was in need, family, friend or stranger, he was there offering all that he had. He was humble, kind, generous and true.

We rejoice through our tears as he has left his earthly home on January 31, 2022 and has been reunited with his beloved wife of over 53 years, Sandra, his mother, Bessie Scarbrough, his Uncle Bill Spencer and Aunt Edith “Gone Gone” Spencer, Sandra’s parents, Onnie and Marie Clark, sister, Gail Stewart, nephews, Phil Stewart, Lyle Stewart and Rick McLain, brother-in-law, Bobby Stewart and bonus brother, sister, and nephew, Bill and Judy Lawson and Michael Gingo.

Charles is survived by and will be dearly missed by his daughter, Suzanne Scalisi, bonus daughter, Rebekah Potts (Kevin), granddaughters, Presley Brown and Peyton Scalisi, sister, Janice Faye Forman (Mike), nieces, Carla McLain Michelle Parks (Randy) and Darlene Ames (Tarryl) nephews, Clark Forman (Laura) and Sam Craven (Nicole), great nieces, Rachel Parks, Sydney McLain, Piper Stewart, and Sadie Forman, great nephews, Steven Stewart, Russ Parks, Jack Forman, and Tucker Forman, and Judy’s babies, Terry and Jimmy and their babies and a host of cousins, extended family, neighbors, church family and dear friends.

Services will be Friday, February 4, 2022, at Currie- Jefferson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin in the chapel at 10:00 AM with Military Honors and a Graveside Service officiated by Brother Ken Stroup at 11:00 AM. Please join us as we celebrate his home going and the indelible marks left by him on this Earth and in our hearts.

Charles will be escorted to his final resting place by Clark Forman, Scott McCloud, Jason Price, Randy Parks, Jimmy Gingo and Spencer Ross.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Veterans’ charity of your choice.