Spencer Black

June 14, 1943 - June 22, 2010

Spencer Black Spencer Black1943-2010Spencer Black of Athens was laid to rest Friday, June 25, 2010, at Ripley Cemetery. He died at Noland Acute Care Hospital in Birmingham of complications from a head injury he sustained April 15, 2010, when a tree limb fell and hit his head. He had just turned 67.Spencer was born in the Ripley Community of Limestone County on June 14, 1943, to Emmett and Leona Rogers Black and was the youngest of six children. He resided most of his life on his familys farm and within sight of his childhood home.Spencer was a 1961 graduate of Clements High School and attended Calhoun Community College. He worked for a while at Redstone Arsenal and later ran a laundry route and cleaning supply business. He also was a barber at Bobs Barber Shop for several years.In 1971, Spencer was fortunate enough to find his ideal career in civil defense, which later became the Emergency Management Agency. Spencer was part of the organization in 1974 when North Alabama was hit by some of the worst tornadoes in history. Spencers admirable handling of the disaster has been the subject of many publications. In fact, Spencer had, for 40 years, been ahead of the curve in preparedness for Limestone County.At his retirement, Limestone County Commissioners announced that the EMA building would be named in his honor. He had been retired 46 days when the accident occurred.Spencer was an outdoorsman and he loved to hunt. He was an avid Auburn fan and supporter of Clements High School athletics, where he served as football announcer.He acquired a grant that tornado-proofed the halls of the new Blue Springs Elementary School and participated in a Pepsi video requesting money for its new playground. He had a caring heart. He loved people of all ages and colors and treated people the same, regardless of social status.His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his children and especially his grandchildren. He often said he would have been a better parent if he could have had grandchildren first. He had plans to take his grandchildren on a 15-day trip out West in June.He is survived by three sisters: Thula Batts and husband Norman, Lois Bridges and Sarah Mitchell, all of Athens; and two brothers: Roger Black and wife Mary Dell of Athens and Johnny Black of Birmingham.He is also survived by his wife of 44 years, Marcia Edmonds Black, and children Jason and Velvet Black, and Samantha and Eric Fleming; and grandchildren Jasey and Allie Ruth Black and Miles and Jake Fleming.Spencer was a member of Mount Carmel Church of Christ. His service was handled by Limestone Chapel Funeral Home and his funeral was at Central Church of Christ. It was conducted by Odis Duncan, Jeff Bridges, John Wayne King, Dr. Charles Edmonds Sr., and Jasey Black.Pallbearers were nephews Jack and Jerry Batts, Ricky and Jeff Bridges, Brody Black and Chaz Estes.