Obituary of Velma I Spence

Velma I. Spence Velma, formerly of Newton, passed from this life on Sunday, June 12, 2016, at Sun Rise Hill Care Center in Traer. Velma I. Spence, 98, was born March 28, 1918, near Eadsville, Kentucky, the daughter of Albert Lee and Dora Pearl (Turner) Burton. She was a graduate of the Kellogg High School, and later attended a year at the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She taught rural country school for a short time. On December 30, 1939, Velma was united in marriage with Earnest Roy Spence in Cedar Falls. To this union three sons were born: Irvin, Dean and Marlyn. For over thirty years they lived near Laurel, where she helped her husband farm. She had also lived a few years in Waterloo. Velma moved to Newton in August 1993, from Chandler, AZ, where she had lived for fifteen years. Velma was a good wife, mother and grandmother, devoting her life to her family. She was a member of the Laurel United Methodist Church. Velma is survived by her two sons: Irvin Spence of Denton, TX and Marlyn Spence of Traer; a daughter-in-law Cindy Spence of Newton; her five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; a sister Mabel (Alexander) Kadet of Pearce, AZ; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roy on Feb. 2, 1981; her son Dean on Feb. 17, 2005; a sister Edith Findley in March 1999; and a brother Clarence Burton in January 2011. A time of remembrance and the funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 16, 2016, at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Visitation will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left in Velma's name with her family or a charity of your choosing.