Mrs. Lillian Brown Johnson Spencer

Mrs. Lillian Brown Johnson Spencer, 90, passed away peacefully on December 22nd, at the home of her daughter in Jonesboro, Georgia.

Born July 18, 1925 in Beaufort, South Carolina and raised in Savannah from the age of three months, Mrs. Spencer was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Brown. She attended the old Paulsen and Cuyler schools and was baptized into the Christian faith on May 5, 1935 at Central Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. J.R. Woods.

Mrs. Spencer married the late Mr. Otis S. Johnson, Sr. and spent her early youth teaching African-American children in the rural areas of Coosawhatcie and Pocatalico, South Carolina. Musically gifted, she sang with the chorus of the Sidney A. Jones Funeral Home and the Simmons Singers Ensemble.

Following Mr. Johnson's untimely death, she married the late Rev. J. Herbert Spencer, Sr. of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and relocated there in 1947. She furthered her education in Alabama, receiving a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Stillman College and a Master Degree in Mathematics from the University of Alabama.

Mrs. Spencer taught math in the Tuscaloosa City School System at Druid High School and Westlawn Junior High School for fourteen years. She returned to Savannah in 1975 and continued her teaching career with Savannah-Chatham County School System, retiring from Bartlett Middle School in 1989.

Deeply committed to the Christian faith, Mrs. Spencer worked tirelessly throughout her life in various capacities of service in Baptist denominational work both in Alabama and Georgia. Mrs. Spencer served as a Sunday School teacher and as director and musician of the Gospel Chorus at Morning Star Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, under the pastorate of her late husband, Rev. Spencer.

Upon returning to Savannah, she reunited with Central Baptist Church, then led by her beloved childhood pastor, the late Rev. William Daniels. She soon renewed her involvement with her home church, serving as a musician, a member of the Missionary Society, Sunday School teacher, member of the Senior Choir and the Lillian Brown Scholarship Committee, named in memory of her mother. For many years she prepared the weekly church bulletin. Being an accomplished pianist and organist, she often sang at funerals with the Speed and Adams Funeral Home Chorus.



Mrs. Spencer was an active worker in the Berean Missionary Baptist Association, serving as both a Special Assistant to the President of the Women's Auxiliary and Financial Secretary. She was a gifted orator and a sought-after speaker for a variety of faith-based services and events.

Predeceased by a grandson, John Herbert Spencer, III, her memory and legacy are celebrated by eight children: Dr. Otis S. Johnson, Jr., former Mayor of the City of Savannah, Mr. Paul L. Johnson (Angelyne), Savannah, GA, Rev. Dr. John H. Spencer, Jr. (Deborah) Englewood, NJ, Dr. Marjorie Spencer Campbell (Willie F.), Huntsville, AL, Lillian Spencer Flournoy, Esq. (Ronald), Atlanta, GA, Mrs. Jannis Glover, Savannah, GA, Dr. Faye Spencer Maor, Greensboro, NC, and Rev. Simeon Spencer (Glynis), Florence, NJ, 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, one adopted daughter, Shevon Carr, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Adams Funeral Home, 510 Stephenson Avenue, Savannah, GA 31405.

The family will receive friends Monday, December 28th from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 29th at Central Baptist Church, 738 East Hull Street, Savannah Georgia, 31401. Rev. Larry Stell, Pastor, Rev. Simeon Spencer, Officiating, followed by interment at Greenwich Cemetery.

In Lieu Of Flowers, please make contributions to the Lillian Brown Johnson Spencer Educational Fund in Care of Carver State Bank P.O. Box 2769 Savannah, GA 31402.

Greenwich Section