Henry Etta Spence of Murphy, Texas passed away on May 9, 2021 at the age of 76. She was born on October 27, 1944 to James Dewey and Iona Oreta (Bilderback) Brown in Amherst, Texas. Henry Etta grew up in and attended schools in Levelland, Texas. She attended Sam Houston State University before her and her husband of 57 years, Charles Esco Spence got married on January 29, 1964 in Lubbock, Texas. Out of college, Charles got a job in Illinois and Henry followed with him. In Illinois, Henry had her first child, a daughter. About a year later, they moved to San Antonio, where their family grew. Over the next 25 years, Henry and Charles moved around Texas. Through their different travels the family always remained close. They finally settled in North Texas and have been here for about 30 years. Henry was a very involved mother and spouse. She was always involved in her children’s school projects and was the office manager for her husband’s business. She stayed involved with her grandkids as well. Henry even taught all 12 of them to swim. She was a jokester and prankster as well. She enjoyed playing pranks on friends and family; anything to see them smile. Henry grew up dancing and loved music. She was an artist in every sense of the work. Henry enjoyed painting, drawing, dancing, and even took adult tap-dancing class later in life.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Spence of Murphy, Texas; daughter, Regina Scheppler and husband, Richard of Lubbock, Texas; son, Chad Spence and wife, Michelle of Murphy, Texas; 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; and numerous other loving family and friends.
Henry was preceded in death by her parents; son, Brad Spence; daughter, Angelia Spence; sisters, JoBeth Courtney and Charlse House.
A “come and go” visitation will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home. Only a limited number of guests will be allowed to enter the funeral home facility at any one time to maintain social distancing.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 14, 2021, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Henry’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/henry-etta-spence. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas.