George Emmett Spence

George Emmett Spence, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on December 7, 2023 surrounded by his loved ones.

George grew up in North East.  He shared his love of farming, his treasured red Ford 601 Workmaster tractor, and appreciation for nature with his family.  Some of his earliest memories were of rising before 5 am, making his way to the freezing barn with his father Jesse to tend the animals and milk the cows.  He’d then go home, warmed by the woodstove, and he'd share his second breakfast with family.   He enjoyed the long walks to Wesley’s one room schoolhouse with the Cheadle brothers until 3/4th grade when he was sent to North East Elementary School.

George graduated from North East High School and shared the honor of co-valedictorian of the Class of 1951 with his longtime friend Florence Wood Kidd.  He twice had the privilege of representing NEHS by attending Maryland Boys State where he had the honor of meeting President Harry S. Truman.  He then went on to proudly serve his country in France as part of the 101st Airborne Division, US Army.

George was a lifetime member of the Church of the Nazarene, he served on the Cecil County Land trust, graduated from Goldey Beacom College and retired from Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1997.

Most of all he loved his family well.  Imparting his love of the land to his grandson Brandon, sharing hours of storytelling and Chinese Checkers with his granddaughter Ashton and his wisdom and gentle love with his children.

He was predeceased by his parents: Jesse and LaReda Sutphin Spence, sister: Polly Ann Spence White, her husband: Richard White and young niece: Diane White.

George is survived by his wife of 66 years: Marilyn Hammond Spence, son: Steve Spence and wife Sara, daughter: Susan Spence Banks, son: Mark Spence, grandson: Brandon Banks and wife Dakota, granddaughter: Ashton Banks Duszynski and husband Jon and his first great grandson and namesake: Emmett Banks.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 11:00 am at North East United Methodist Church, 308 South Main Street, North East, MD, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am.

Interment will follow services in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations made to Samaritan’s Purse, in care of Crouch Funeral Home, 127 South Main Street, North East, MD 21901.