Obituary: Eva Tarkenton Spencer | Eastern NC Now

    Eva Tarkenton Spencer, 92, of Jerry Post Office Road, Columbia, died Monday, April 11, 2011, at Ridgewood Manor Nursing Center in Washington.

    Born in Tyrrell County, August 5, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Gilbert W. and Reda Swindell Tarkenton. She was married to Harold L. Spencer who preceded her in death and with whom she was co-founder of Spencer's Sausage which was a prominent business in Tyrrell County for many years until moving their business to Washington as it remains a family business today. She was a member of Malachi's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church and found much happiness in reading, especially her Bible, and cooking.

    Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Malachi's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. Rev. R. W. May will officiate.

    Surviving are a son, Harold L. (Bud) Spencer and wife, Pam of Washington; a daughter, Patricia S. Fadel and husband, Sammy of Kill Devil Hills; a brother, Bill Tarkenton of Chesapeake, Va.; a sister, Audrey Harrell of Durham; five grandchildren, Charles Spencer Fadel, Kelly F. Mansfield and husband, Jay, Michael Salem Fadel, Kevin Paul Spencer and wife, Dana and Gregory Lee Spencer and wife, Jolene; five great-grandchildren, Kaleb Spencer, Leah Spencer, Sara Spencer, Gage Spencer and Braxton Mansfield.

    Mrs. Spencer was also preceded in death by a grandson, Hal Spencer; brothers, Carlos Tarkenton and Leroy Tarkenton; a sister, Beatrice T. O'Neal.

    Memorials are suggested to Malachi's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, c/o Mrs. Joyce James, 2993 N.C. Hwy. 94-South, Columbia NC 27925.

    The family will receive friends on Wednesday between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Bryan Funeral Service, Columbia Chapel and online sympathy messages may be directed to bryanfs.com.