Bobby Joe Spence (9-19-21) service 9-24-21

Bobby Joe Spence, age 80, of Crump, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 19.
Bobby Joe was a native of Unionville, Tennessee, and a graduate of Unionville High School. Bobby Joe was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed to the utmost God’s beautiful creation. He had a contagious work ethic who joined the Army National Guard upon graduating high school and spent his career as a foreman manufacturing electrical motors. He enjoyed gardening, harvesting, canning and “playing in the dirt.” His flower gardens were full of vivid colors and sweet aromas. He loved to cook for his family and no one left his home hungry. He authored the cookbook “Backwoods Cookbook: Food for Thought” as a legacy book of recipes passed down from his mother. Bobby Joe’s children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. There are not enough words to express the deep love he has shown his family throughout his life.
Bobby Joe is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann Spence of Crump; his son, Tommy Joe Spence of Huntingdon, Tennessee; his daughter, Lisa Jo Spence Beard and son-in-law Charles Beard of Fairview, Tennessee; and his grandchildren, Joseph Benjamin Beard of West Hollywood, California, Laura Jo Gill of Heiskell, Tennessee, Alysa Cha Huerta of Cookeville, Tennessee, Noah Jackson Spence of Cookeville, Tennessee, Waker Spence of Asheville, North Carolina; stepsons Robert J. Mullins of Walnut, Mississippi, Danny Mullins of Pinson, Tennessee, Curtis Nelms of Walnut, Mississippi; siblings, brother James Robertson Spence of Shelbyville, Tennessee, and sister Jean Lloyd of Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Bobby Joe was proceeded in death by his father, James Leon Spence and mother, Lettie Prince Spence of Unionville, Tennessee; and his son, Michael Joe Spence of Huntingdon, Tennessee.
A celebration of Bobby Joe’s life was held at Gowen-Smith Chapel in Shelbyville, Tennessee, on Friday, Sept. 24, with celebration of life services at noon. An interment followed at Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Arrangements by Gowen-Smith Chapel in Shelbyville, Tennessee.