SPENCER

Robert Louis Spencer, 97, a resident of Mt. Hermon, died at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Franklinton.

Affectionately known as “Popsie” and “Pa Pa” to his family, he was a native of Hattiesburg, Miss., born on Dec. 9, 1916. He was a longtime resident of New Orleans.

Robert moved fulltime to Washington Parish following Hurricane Katrina. He began working for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company even before graduating from high school. In 1957 he was promoted to assistant superintendent of the New Orleans Unit. He later became corporate vice-president and president of the New Orleans, Dallas and Louisville Units. A few years later he was asked to take over the Indianapolis, Detroit and Toledo Divisions. When he retired in 1982 he had worked for A& P for 50 years. He served two years as a consultant.

Robert was a member of the Edgewater-East Baptist Church and enjoyed playing golf. He always kept a beautiful yard with an outstanding flower garden. He loved being with family and enjoyed family trips to Gulf Shores, Ala., and Percy Quinn State Park in Mississippi.

He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Joe Baugh of Mt. Hermon; two grandchildren and spouses, Lisa and Keith Speights of Brandon, Miss., and Joe H. Baugh Jr. and Julie Baugh of Hattiesburg, Miss.; five great-grandchildren, Haley and Hannah Speights, and Rebekah, Joseph and Jacob Baugh; three stepchildren and spouses, Diane and Larry Keller of Brenham, Texas, Michael and Margret Brown of Lake Forrest, Calif., and Donna Brown of Indonesia; nine step-grandchildren; and 13 step-great-grandchildren;

He was preceded in death by his wives, Helen Chancellor Spencer and Laverne Brown Spencer; his parents, Claude Spencer and Bertha Bradford Spencer; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Lamar and Libby Spencer and Arthur and Louise Spencer; two sisters and a brother in law, Gladys and Harry Miller and Ruth Hurless; and an infant brother, Raymond Spencer.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 8 at Crain Funeral Home from 9 a.m. until time for the funeral service at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Joey Miller and Dr. Joe Baugh officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery in Hattiesburg, with a 3:30 p.m. committal service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Mt. Hermon Baptist Church.