Claudia (Duke) Spencer

Claudia Elaine Duke Spencer (83) died Tuesday, May 9 at her home in Putney, Ga. after an extended period of ill health.  Her son, Kirk, was with her at the time of her passing.

Claudia was born at the start of a record-breaking cold snap in Mobile, Alabama, a period of time that saw people skating on Mobile Bay and indoor plumbing freeze.  Her first days were spent in a house her father Alvin built in Prichard, just north of the city of Mobile.  As her parents nestled her close to protect their little firstborn child, Claudia gathered all of that warmth they gave her and then radiated it back out into the world for the rest of her life.  

In time, Alvin and his wife Imogene gave Claudia two sisters and a brother to fill that house in Prichard.  The children attended near-by schools, and in 1958, Claudia graduated from Vigor High School.  She chose to continue her education in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama, where she received her BS in Home Economics in 1962.  She specialized in dietetics, with study through the University of Oklahoma.  After her time in Oklahoma, she returned to Mobile and worked with Mobile Infirmary. One of her projects was assisting with meal planning for the children living with diabetes who attended summer camp at Camp Seale Harris.  Assisting low-income families find cost-effective sources of good nutrition was a cause near to her heart.

In 1969, Claudia married her sweetheart from Tuscaloosa, Peter W. Spencer, and they moved to Putney, GA.  About this time, she joined the United Methodist Church in Putney; the community there and her faith were sources from which she drew strength throughout her adult life.  In the following years, they would be blessed with two children:  Kirk and Kimberly.  Claudia raised her children to share her love of animals.

Claudia used her home economics skills and natural talents as she dedicated her life to being a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She took pleasure in simple pastimes like needlework (sewing, knitting, crochet) and cooking. In her later years, she supported her favorite charitable causes by making blankets and hundreds of hand-crafted hats for Christmas boxes.

Claudia is preceded in death by her parents and husband.  Her survivors include: her son, Kirk and his wife, Mindy Spencer of Putney, Ga; her daughter, Kimberly Spencer of Albany, Ga; grandsons: Noah, and Eli Spencer of Albany, Ga; step-grandson, Chris Schmeltzer of Albany, Ga; sisters: Angela Bairos of Templeton, Ma. and Sharon Tillman of Leesburg, Ga; and brother: James Duke of Montgomery, Al.  She leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss her soft voice, patient manner, ready laugh, and gentle humor

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