Mr. Alonzo Spencer

The Book of Love, The Life Reflections of Alonzo Spencer Jr. Alonzo Spencer Jr. was born on December 1, 1941, to Alonzo Spencer Sr and Lillian (Nelson) Spencer. He was the third of six children. Alonzo was preceded in death by (dad) Alonzo Spencer Sr, (mom) Lillian Spencer, (brother) Henry Spencer (Birdie May), (sister) Eloise Spencer-Lewis, (brother) Lonell Spencer (Sherry Ann), (Son) Toussaint. Alonzo attended elementary School and High School in Columbia, MS in Marion County. He attended Prentiss Institute Junior College September 1961 - May 1963 earning his AA degree. Alonzo was proud of the historical implications behind Prentiss. An example of these historical implications is the college president at the time, Ms. Johnson was a former student of Booker T. Washington. At Prentiss Institute, he represented his school in a one act two-character play called “Cathedral” where Alonzo played a priest. He also played football at Prentiss Institute where they played one of dad’s toughest opponents, Coahoma Community College. He often referenced Coahoma whenever discussing how one must learn to preserve and strive when facing life's toughest hurdles. Alonzo also participated in Choir at Prentiss Institute. In 1961 he was voted the “Best Looking” in his class. From there, Alonzo transferred to Jackson State University for his Junior year of college where he majored in Political Science and History. Alonzo The Family Man, in 1965, Alonzo had a pull to come to Chicago and decided to spend the summer with his older brother Henry Spencer. Little did he know this would be the summer that would change the rest of his life. This future meeting was a long time in the making. When he first met the love of his life walking down JE Brown Lane with her cousin Gracie Lee, she was too young to claim. However, some years later they were destined to meet again. Glory (also known as Gloria) was reintroduced to Alonzo by his brother Henry and his cousin Hattie Mae. Thus began a three-month whirlwind romance that led to a lifetime of love, 58 wonderful years of marriage, four daughters and one son who preceded him in death. During their courting and honeymoon phase, Alonzo and Glory stunned the world with their immediate and strong affection for one another. Alonzo being the third of his six siblings and Glory the first of her ten siblings, they were a pillar of love and strength in their family as their union sparked and continued. Alonzo worked in various settings from 1965 to 1967, when he began working for the Milwaukee Railroad Company as a Claims Adjuster. He worked there for 15 years before they went out of business. He began working in Public Safety Services until he retired in 2005. He was promoted to management before retiring in 2005 from the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. Although working full-time, he always made time to participate in community work, including becoming a voter’s registrar. He made it his mission to sign up all newly of age voters in the neighborhood. His belief was your vote counts. Alonzo was beloved in every job he worked. Alonzo The Historian, Alonzo was a true historian and believed in keeping history alive. Because he was born and raised during the time of Jim Crow and segregation his desire was for his children and all who he encountered to know the great history of the African American people. Alonzo taught his daughters to appreciate the great poets and playwrights of our people and was involved in many Black History programs and events. During his lifetime, Alonzo wrote, directed, and acted in many plays and programs that introduced the artistic talents of our people to the church and neighborhood communities. Alonzo was also very involved in Civil Rights and Political Rights and had supported and attended the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr march in Marquette Park with his brother Henry. Over the years he was involved in other peaceful protests concerning the changing political climate of Chicago. All these things made Alonzo the strong leader he was for his family and community. Alonzo The Elder, attended John the Baptist Church in Columbia MS as a little boy. He gave his life to Christ in 1988 and joined Pickens Memorial Temple COGIC in Chicago, IL. While there, he served as a Deacon and Elder. He played a crucial role in ministry as he served in the Finance Department, Bus Ministry, Mission Outreach, Candy Machine/Vending, and Church Maintenance. Together, Alonzo and his wife Glory founded the Black History program at Pickens Memorial Temple. This program taught black history through plays, songs, poems, performances, and educational resources. There was a wall dedicated to black historical facts called “Lest We Forget”. Elder Alonzo, also brought excitement to the men’s ministry as he encouraged men to be faithful husbands, fathers, and brothers as they serve in their communities. He also spent some time ministering to men in the church and the neighborhood around the 115th Street house. Elder Alonzo started a scholarship while serving at Pickens Temple and he was featured in a local Chicago newspaper. The scholarship was aimed at encouraging young adults to stay in college and provided them with financial support to help with books/tuition and other expenses. In 2006, he and his wife relocated to Columbia, MS. While there, Alonzo and Glory started a home-based bible study ministry called Living Word Pentecostal. During this time some came to know and accept Christ into their lives. They then later attended Greater Faith, Greater Deliverance, and Liberty Temple. In 2017, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he became an honorary member of World Harvest Church. There they ministered to couples and participated in starting the Black History Program. He departed this life on the 4th day of December 2023 at the Northcare Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Glory Jean, his daughter Afree Becton (Marlon), daughter Najuma, daughter Aneka and daughter Malene. Five grandchildren Marlon II (Shaquaill), Tikira, Amerah, Malcolm and Anaya. Three great grandchildren, Xenaya, Mateo and Caius. One Brother Levell, Sr. (Brenda Sue) Columbia, MS, one Sister Lillie Mae Magee (Harry), Columbia, MS. Alonzo also leaves to cherish his memory loving in-laws, nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Alonzo Spencer, Jr will be interred at XII Gates Cemetery. Glory - My Goodbye to my Awesome Husband of 58 years. Your transition has left a big hole in my heart, but I will hold on to every word and the love we have shared toward each other. I will miss you like never before, but you have blessed me with four beautiful daughters, five grands, and three great-grands. We all are going to miss you so very much. I feel that you will be watching over us as we continue this life. I thank your older brother Henry who preceded you in making his transition to be with the Lord. I know you two are rejoicing together in Heaven with your parents, Lonell (who you led to the Lord), your parents, your sister Eloise, our son Toussaint, my parents, and two of my siblings. It is because of your brother and cousin Hattie Mae that we met each other. It was meant to be. We are going to miss you so much. I will see you on the other side. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023, 12:00pm at World Harvest Ministries . Interment XII Gates Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 11:00am-12:00pm at the church. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Mr. Alonzo Spencer

December 1, 1941 - December 4, 2023